Thank you, Mr. Jean Henric! | |
After two terms as president since 2017, Jean Henric will hand his office over to a successor at the General Assembly in August. We are very thankful for the engagement and the great work he has put in for Pueri Cantores and the growth we have experienced due to his leadership. From the outset, his aim was to make those responsible for the dioceses aware of the work of children’s choirs and he spared no efforts to achieve this goal. His official visits include Wales, Belgium, Lebanon, Portugal, Croatia, Cuba, Haiti, India, Sri Lanka, Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi, as well as many visits to international an national congresses. In his presidency, the Charter of Protection against child abuse as well as a Vademecum for choir conductors were developed.
On top of that, due to new Vatican regulations our First Vice-President Matthias Balzer will have to hand his office over. As a tireless communicator, structural developer and hands-on organizer, Matthias Balzer has already left a great legacy at the FIPC. We are happy, that he hopefully should remain with the FIPC in a different role.
Our treasurer Gian Luca Paolucci will also leave his position in August. We would like to thank him for his constant engagement and consistent work for the FIPC.
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75th Jubilee and General Assembly in August in Paris | |
The General Assembly of the FIPC will take place from 29 to 30 August 2025 in Paris, France. Invited are representatives of all the national federations of the Pueri Cantores from all over the world. The Assembly will vote a new FIPC President and First Vice-President.
Additionally, Pueri Cantores International is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year! On August 28, a jubilee celebration will be held preceding the General Assembly. It will start at Notre Dame Cathedral and end with a Jubilee Concert by the National Choir Pueri Cantores France and Les Petits Chanteurs à la Croix du Bois.
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45th International Congress in Munich | | Under the motto “Cantate Domino – Vielstimmig für den Frieden – #comeandsing”, around 4.500 singers from 166 choirs of 16 countries gathered in the Bavarian capital from July 16 to 20, 2025. Five days of inspiring encounters, deeply moving experiences of music and faith and a strong advocacy for international peace and understanding lie behind the participants. Joy and the identity of Pueri Cantores were palpable throughout the whole city. Find out more about the festival and have many insights here or have a look into the livestreams here.
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Pre-Festivals at the international Congress | |
Right before the international Congress in Munich, pre-festivals took place all over Germany. International choirs were invited to stay some more days with a guest choir in Germany before they travelled together to the main festival in Munich. Eberhard Metternich, cathedral conductor in Cologne and host of the international Congress in Cologne 2004, brought the pre-festivals back this year. We asked him a few questions.
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| News from National Federations |
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Festival Le Printemps des Maîtrises in Metz, France | |
At the end of May Le Printemps des Maîtrises was organized in Metz (France). Every two years this event gathers several children choirs for a high-level festival. FIPC President Jean Henric (r.) and FFPC President Goulven Airault were present to listen to choirs from Haguenau, Colmar, Reims, Luxembourg and the choir of Metz Cathedral conducted by Christophe Bergossi (l.), organizer of this event. The Romane Mass by Thierry Escaich (m.), created for the Congress in Paris 2024, was sung in the presence of the French composer, recently appointed titular of Notre Dame de Paris organ.
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Developing Pueri Cantores in Croatia | |
At the beginning of June, president Jean Henric (r.) was in Varazdin, Croatia for a mission visit. He was joined by Josef Doeller (l.), president of Pueri Cantores Austria and architect of this rapprochement. A new national federation is in the process of being established around Višeslav Jaklin and his choir. The delegation had a working meeting with Bishop Bože Radoš (m.) and attended a wonderful concert organized at the theatre of the city. Višeslav Jaklin is now the representative of Croatia for the FIPC and in charge to develop the movement in his country.
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