Bayeux Chante L'Europe

From 19th to 24th August 2007 the town of Bayeux (Normandy, France) hosted the 3rd Intenational Choral Festival »Bayeux Chante L'Europe«, which was dedicated to the 50th anniversary of united Europe. Participant choirs came from Britain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Slovenia. The festival was organized by the L'Orpheon Vocal Music Centre, an institution that was founded in 1846 and holds over 220 members and 3 choirs.




Slovenia was successfuly represented by the Zbor sv. Nikolaja choir and Helena Fojkar Zupančič by introducing a part of the spiritual music treasury from various periods in the Notre Dame cathedral and the Isygni sur Mer church. At folk-themed concerts it presented the audience with Slovene folk music and customs in genuine Slovene folk wear. People were enraptured and gave the choir and conductor high praises. The concerts packed with emotions usually ended in long applauses and standing ovations. In audience's opinion the Zbor sv. Nikolaja choir was the best by far.

The La renaissance du Bessin newspaper wrote: Special mention goes to the Zbor sv. Nikolaja Litija choir, which was quite the sensation in the cathedral on Wednesday. With extraordinary brilliant spiritual expression it created for the audience an other-worldly atmosphere. The Slovene singers gathered in the back in the nave, women in white clothes on the stairs, men in dark ones behind them. Each holding a candle, they called out to the creator: »Veni Creator Spiritus«. It seemed for men's voices to bounce off the pillars and for women's to flow right into the nave. Same thing happened during the other interpretations: Pater Noster, Salve Regina, Lux Aurumque, Bogoroditse Djevo etc., which the audience rewarded with long, warm applauses. Some of the comments were: »It's the culmitation of harmony. Ingenious. Beautiful.« Words were insufficient to describe this great event.



The singers also attended the joint rehearsals, where they acquainted themselves with new music pieces and swapped experience with others. They performed at the solemn conclusion concert in the beautiful Bayeux cathedral, where they joined the other 220 singers from 5 different countries and a symphony orchestra.

»Our partitipation at this festival has been a new, interesting experience on our creative path. Special attention was given to meeting new singers, learning about their culture and their way of work. Our concerts were extremeley well attended and Slovenia's recognition was growing every day. We had an amazing performance on Wednesday in the cathedral; we began by introducing a chorale melody improvisation and continued with works of great music composers. The applause seemed to be endless and the flowing energy was filling everyone with happiness. According to the locals, this cathedral concert has been the best by far. In our spare time we were admiring the beauty of Normandy, we took some sight-seeing tours and visited museums. At departure we thanked the generous organizators and locals for their hospitality with a song.«




By giving a good appearance, the Zbor sv. Nikolaja choir has greatly increased the interest in Slovenia and Slovene culture and with a quality concert performance it gave thanks to the hosts in best possible manner for their warm welcome and hospitality.