Berlin International Guitar Festival celebrates 20th anniversary

The Berlin International Guitar Competition and Festival marked its 20th anniversary with a final round held on October 10 at Ballhaus Prinzenallee in Berlin. Initiated in 2006 by Professor Dang Ngoc Long, director of the Berlin-Gesundbrunnen Music School, the biennial event has become a platform for young guitarists to connect globally.

This year's competition featured 30 contestants from 15 different countries, with five finalists advancing to the final stage. A distinctive element of the festival is the requirement for participants to perform compulsory pieces composed by Professor Long. These works are inspired by Vietnamese folk melodies and literature, such as 'The Tale of Kieu', serving to introduce Vietnamese musical culture to international audiences.

The event was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyen Dac Thanh, who congratulated Professor Long on building a cultural bridge through music. Long expressed his ambition to eventually bring the festival to Hanoi to create more opportunities for young Vietnamese guitarists to collaborate with international peers.