July will mark the first time the African continent hosts the World Choir Games.
For 30 years the ‘Interkultur’ event has brought choirs together from around the globe, to compete in a vocal competition that titles the winning choir as the best in the world, and this year the city of Tshwane in South Africa will host the 10th annual Games from July 4-14.
The event is anticipated to bring over 29 000 visitors to the city and to South Africa, over the 11 days that the Games will be taking place. This opens up business opportunities for multiple tourism players, from hospitality to local attractions, culinary venues to the myriad arts and crafts suppliers.
Countries participating in the games include Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, China, Gabon, Germany, Gibraltar, Great Britain, Greece, Indonesia, Ireland, Jamaica, Lithuania, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Sweden, Sri Lanka, Switzerland and the US
Africa is playing its part too, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe all sending choirs to participate.
Numerous celebration concerts will take place, including the Nelson Mandela Tribute Concert; and the opening ceremony will see South Africa staging a flamboyant performance and showcase the richness and variety of the SA culture.
The City of Tshwane is promoting local sites such as the Pretoria Zoo, the Botanical Garden, heritage sites, museums, art galleries, nature conservancies, and myriad other cultural experiences.
