MODfestivals reacts to the ongoing difficult situation with festival exchange
In 2021 Musica Sacra International takes place again

For 30 years MODfestivals e.V. has been organising the two festivals "Musica Sacra International" and "International Chamber Choir Competition Marktoberdorf" in annual rotation, always at Whitsun.  The biennial multi-religious festival "Musica Sacra International" brings together singers, instrumentalists and dancers from different countries and world religions to perform together in Marktoberdorf. Due to the worldwide corona pandemic, this year's Festival 2020 did not take place in the Allgäu-region as usual, but with an alternative concept as MSI Online Edition successfully on the Internet.

However, the continuing corona pandemic makes it impossible to hold the "International Chamber Choir Competition Marktoberdorf" 2021 in the usual way.As choirs worldwide are not able to rehearse, sing or travel, MODfestivals e.V., in agreement with the authorities, the board and the artistic direction, has decided to make a one-time exchange of the two festivals.  Thus, on Whitsun from May 21 to 25, 2021, the festival "Musica Sacra International" can take place with live performances, evening concerts, workshops and inter-religious encounters.

A foresighted planning with smaller ensembles, larger venues and fewer spectators offers a hygiene concept that should make it possible to hold a live festival despite high demands. The educational programme "Tolerance starts at school" is also offered. A programme has been specially developed for this purpose which complies with current regulations and yet gives children and young people the opportunity to learn about the special features of the various world religions and cultures.

As a result of this festival exchange, the "International Chamber Choir Competition Marktoberdorf" will take place in 2022 and 2023 respectively. The organiser MODfestivlas e.V. hopes that this competition can then be held again, as usual, in an international framework and on a corresponding scale.

"We hope that this unique festival exchange will receive the understanding of all international choral friends and we look forward to a musical and interreligious encounter at Musica Sacra International on Whitsun 2021", MODfestivals Managing Director Ramona Wegenast concludes.