Culture

George Enescu International Competition & Festival

The Wilo Foundation supported the largest international classical music competition in Eastern Europe and the namesake festival in Bucharest for over eight years.

Europe

Romania

Bucharest

Funding period: 2014-2021

The George Enescu Festival was established in 1958, three years after the death of George Enescu, and is considered one of the most prestigious and largest classical music festivals in Europe. It alternates with the George Enescu International Competition every two years under the patronage of the Romanian President and with the support of the Ministry of Culture. The festival honors the musical legacy of the Romanian virtuoso musician, composer, violinist, and conductor George Enescu (1881-1955). During the festival, international leading orchestras, soloists, and young talents perform in the renowned Athenaeum concert hall in Bucharest and selected other concert venues. This signals that culture holds an important place in Romanian society.

Performance of the concert by the Romanian National Youth Orchestra, sponsored by the Wilo Foundation, at the George Enescu Festival 2017. Photo: George Enescu Festival, Credit: Alex Damian.

The "George Enescu International Competition," closely linked with the festival, is the only classical music competition organized from Romania to gain attention on the international music stage.

The three laureates Takuma Ishii, Danor Quinteros, and Victoria Vassilenko (1st Prize) of the George Enescu Piano International Competition 2016, supported by the Wilo Foundation, at the Athenaeum Bucharest. Photo: Wilo Foundation

Every two years, young upcoming musicians from around the world can apply and present themselves in the categories of piano, violin, cello, and composition to the international jury. The finals featuring the last three contestants always take place at the Athenaeum and are broadcast live to the plaza for the interested public. The winners have the opportunity to perform with renowned orchestras at the festival in the following year.

Meet & Greet with Artists: Reception hosted by the Wilo Foundation with guests from Wilo Romania following their sponsored concert of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra at the Athenaeum Bucharest. Photo: George Enescu Festival, Credit: Alex Damian

The Wilo Foundation contributed to the strengthening of musical culture in Romania and international exchange over many years by supporting the piano category of the competition, specifically the "Piano Final," and by promoting the performance of the Romanian Youth Orchestra at the festival's opening concert. Additionally, it supported music education and, during the Corona times, the online edition of the competition.

Header Photo: George Enescu Competition 2018, Credit: Alex Damian

Our funding partner

The George Enescu Festival has been held in Bucharest, Romania, since 1958 and is under the patronage of the Romanian President. It is organized on behalf of the Romanian Ministry of Culture and Religion by the agency ARTEXIM and the Fundatia Art Production.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) forms the global framework for action for socially, economically and ecologically sustainable development. Our funding commitment also supports these sustainability goals. With this project, we are making a contribution to achieving the following SDGs:

What are the SDGs?