On September 8, 2024, Mr. Li Jinsheng, Chairman of China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG), visited the headquarters of the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM) at the Palacete dos Condes de Monte Real and held in-depth discussions with Mrs. Emily Kuo, President of IFCM, exploring potential avenues for mutually beneficial collaboration and joint development in this national historical and cultural heritage building in Lisbon, Portugal.
Both IFCM and CAEG, committed to the goal of promoting international cultural exchange and developing choral music, agreed to expand their collaboration based on the principles of "resource sharing, complementary advantages, brand interaction, and mutual development." IFCM and CAEG signed a Memorandum of Strategic Cooperation Agreement to hold the World Symposium on Choral Music (WSCM) in Beijing, China in 2026, in conjunction with the 18th China International Chorus Festival (CICF).
Guests attending the event included: Ms. Chen Xiaoling, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of China in Portugal; Mr. Alberto Laplaine Guimarães, Secretary-General of the Lisbon City Council; Mr. Choi Man Hin, President of the Luso Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Vai Lim Vong, Presiden of Dimalu KV Investments Group; Mr. Huang Bin, Deputy General Manager of CAEG; and Mr. Marco Galinha, President of Portuguese Grupo Bel.
Over the past 70 years, CAEG has played a vital role for China’s international cultural exchanges. Its mission is "telling China's story well and spreading China's voice," actively building international communication capacity. The group has made significant contributions to creating a higher level of diverse and multifaceted international cultural exchanges for China. It successfully launched the "Image of China," "Experience China," "Happy Chinese New Year," and "China International Chorus Festival" series of brand events.
During this visit to Portugal, besides strengthening cooperation with IFCM and signing the Memorandum, CAEG also brought the large-scale Chinese historical performance "The Imperial Bells of China", presenting the Portuguese audience with a top-level visual and auditory feast of Chinese music and dance. This fully showcased the brilliant achievements of ancient Chinese culture and added a new dimension to China’s splendid historical culture going global.
Founded in 1982, IFCM is the official representative of UNESCO's Music Council and a professional organization in the international choral community, with national choral associations from over a hundred countries as its members. It influences millions of people globally and has broad international representation. Under the leadership of its current president, Mrs. Emily Kuo, the IFCM has established a partnership with CAEG and has collaborated multiple times to hold the "China International Chorus Festival." This event is the only national-level choral art festival in China and the largest choral event in Asia.
The signing of the Memorandum by Mr. Li Jinsheng and Mrs. Emily Kuo marks another milestone in the long-term cooperation between IFCM and CAEG. Given the far-reaching global influence of both, IFCM and CAEG will leverage their respective strengths to enhance the international influence of their brands through the joint hosting of the 2026 WSCM and the 18th China International Chorus Festival. They aim to deepen mutual understanding among people worldwide through musical and cultural exchanges, promote the development of choral music and education globally, advance cross-civilizational learning, and foster friendships.
Official magazine of the International Federation for Choral Music, the International Choral Magazine is published quarterly in the four official languages of IFCM: English, French, German and Spanish. It is distributed in more than 80 countries on the five continents and is the official voice of choral music around the world.
Read moreOur focus at the moment is to unite the choral calendars of international choral organisations. Meanwhile please consult the calendar of choral events published by the European Choral Association - Europa Cantat here.
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