The World Federation of International Music Competitions’ (WFIMC) 60th General Assembly gets underway in Yerevan, Armenia, on Wednesday. The Geneva-based group represents over 115 music competitions worldwide, with more than 60 international delegates expected to attend the event, presided over by Armenian minister of culture Hasmik Poghosyan.
Yerevan is also home to Aram Khachaturian International Competition (AKIC), which acts as co-host. This year’s AKIC has a focus on conductors, with past events centred on piano, violin and cello.
‘The presentation of our annual Assembly in one of the world’s oldest and richest cultures where Europe and Asia, east and west straddle, symbolises WFIMC’s global membership and it’s commitment to fellowship across borders through the democracy of music,’ said WFIMC secretary general Benjamin Woodroffe.
The General Assembly includes four days of keynote addresses, plenary sessions, networking events and a gala concert given by WFIMC competition entrants. Russian pianist Georgy Tchaidze, Mongolian baritone Ariunbaatar Ganbaatar, and Hungarian violinist Barnabás Kelemen will all perform at the 16 July concert.
Added Woodroffe: ‘WFIMC is proud to announce that John Gilhooly – artistic and executive director of Wigmore Hall – will present the 2016 keynote address. In a live stream video link from Wigmore Hall, he will outline his extensive programming experience of competition laureates.’
Founded in 1957, WFIMC is the premier international governing body for music competitions. The General Assembly runs from 15-18 June.