I am particularly pleased that the festival Musica Sacra International will take place again this year, despite the pandemic. After last year’s successful online edition the organisers are once again breaking new grounds – and have developed a hybrid festival for the first time, with a programme that, given the opportunity, can take place on-site and an online programme that has been developed specifically for this edition. At the Whitsun weekend and over three additional weekends in autumn, ensembles will come to Marktoberdorf and to the Allgäu region to strengthen the dialogue between different faiths and cultures through the uniting power of music. It is because of this peace festival that prejudices can be overcome and knowledge about the particular religions be deepend. This way we can all contribute to a mutual understanding together.

Alongside excellent concerts at various places will be open workshops, which will provide insights into the music of each ensemble and its religion. Discussions, joint prayers and a ‘walk of the religions’ will complete the festival. In addition, children and young people will acquire knowledge about the five world religions as well as sensitivity and respect towards other cultures through the educational programme ‘tolerance starts at school’. For the first time this important component will be extended to all age groups this year.

Through the universal language of music this festival is setting a clear example for the understanding among nations and is fostering our appreciation for other cultures. I should like to sincerely thank everyone involved and wish the audiences a variety of encounters as well as exciting and touching performances.

Munich, March 2021

Bernd Sibler
Bavarian Minister of State for Science and the Arts