Largest choir festival

700 voices ignite a sea of lights in Lungau

Almost 100 singers from six Lungau choirs took to the stage for the first time as "Vox Lungowe" and performed at the opening.(Bild: Holitzky Roland)

Austria's largest choir festival, "Fire and Voice", kicked off yesterday evening in Lungau.

Yesterday evening the time had come: around 700 singers lit up a sea of lights on the market square in St. Michael im Lungau. Austria's largest choir festival "Fire and Voice" has officially begun.

"Gentian and the alpine roses"(Bild: Holitzky Roland)

Although the focus is on folk music, international guests are also not uncommon in Lungau: "Last year we hosted a children's choir from America. This year it won't be quite so exotic, we're expecting singers from Slovenia," says Lisbeth Schwarzenbacher from the tourism association.

"Choir of Encounter" from Vienna(Bild: Holitzky Roland)

However, there won't be much time for international understanding in the coming days. The choirs have a packed program ahead of them. Today there are hikes on the Katschberg and the Speiereck. The reward follows with a stop for lunch and vocal performances by the individual choirs. Evening choir concerts in Tamsweg, Mauterndorf, Mariapfarr and St. Michael round off the day.

On Sunday, the festival comes to an end with the big parade - that's the plan. Only the weather remains a risk factor these days. After all, the snow on the mountains has already completely melted again. "And hopefully the European Football Championship won't take any visitors away from us," jokes Lisbeth Schwarzenbacher.