About the festival
Flanders welcomes the 10th edition of Europa Cantat Junior, to the city of Ghent. Europa Cantat Junior is a non-competitive European children’s and youth choir festival for singers up to 20 years old. The typical aspect of this festival is that young choirs sing together, rehearse together and work together towards a concert. Europa Cantat Junior takes place in a different European city every three years. The European Choral Association organises the festival in collaboration with local organisations. For the 2023 edition, these organisations are Koor&Stem vzw and VFJK (the Flemish Federation of Young Choirs). The City of Ghent and the Flemish Government support the festival. Learn more about Europa Cantat Junior and its previous editions here :
City of Ghent
Ghent is full of charming history and modern-day fun. It is a city where people enjoy life and music. Ghent is also a compact city. All attractions are within walking distance from one another. World heritage - the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers -, a medieval castle, an imposing cathedral, a belfry, canals, museums, shopping streets, cosy café and trendy restaurants, Ghent has it all and much more.
In 2009 Ghent was designated “Creative City of Music” by UNESCO, an honour as well as worldwide recognition of our city’s position as a trendsetter in music. Music thrives in Ghent and its diversity in terms of style, genre and identity is certainly stimulated here. Since 2017, Ghent boasts the largest low-traffic pedestrian zone in Europe. So, discovering Ghent on foot is an absolute must!
Festival venues
Europa Cantat Junior takes place in the historical center of Ghent. Most venues are within walking distance. So you will only need your feet to get from one location to another! Have a look at some of the venues on this map.
The team
Steering Committee
- Jeroen Keymeulen (BE, chair)
- Jeroen Beckers (BE)
- Sonja Greiner (DE)
- Marleen Moortgat (BE)
- Silvija Prockyte (LT)
Artistic Committee
- Marleen Annemans (BE, chair)
- Marleen De Boo (BE)
- Hans Helsen (BE)
- Mariette Effing (NL)
- Zeynep Eren Kovankaya (TR)
- Raul Talmar (EE)
Festival coordinator
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Marleen Moortgat (BE)
Local Organization Committee
- Koor&Stem and VFJK (Flemish federation of young choirs)
- Marleen Moortgat (chair)
- Valerie Konings
- Liesbeth Segers
- Inge Sykora
- Carine Spiloes
And many more helping hands; staff members of Koor&Stem vzw, VFJK, event workers and volunteers!
The organizers
Koor&Stem vzw, the Flemish organisation for vocal music
VFJK, the Flemish Federation of Young Choirs
ECA, the European Choral Association
supported by The City of Ghent and the Flemish Government-department for Culture, Youth and Media