Terms and Conditions: International Culture Award - Music Brings Cultures Together

Objectives and Sponsorship

The International Culture Prize Europe–United Arab Emirates is a project aimed at strengthening cultural ties and promoting dialogue among young people from diverse backgrounds through the universal language of music. Under the patronage of the Initiative Werterhalt & Weitergabe e.V., the project focuses not only on musical excellence but also on international understanding and intergenerational dialogue.

Eligibility

  • Age: Musicians who are between the ages of 18 and 39 at the time of the competition are eligible to participate.
  • Residence: You must be able to prove that your primary place of residence is in Europe or the United Arab Emirates.
  • Lineup: Soloists (piano, violin, guitar), small ensembles, or international musical collaborations are eligible.
  • Status: The invitation is intended for young talents who are ready to embark on an international career and who have already completed professional training or are currently pursuing a relevant degree.

Registration and application documents

Registration is done through the official online portal. The following must be submitted:

  1. A fully completed registration form.
  2. An artistic résumé (in continuous text) in German or English.
  3. A copy of your passport or ID card to verify your age and address.
  4. A recent, high-resolution portrait photo with permission for publication for press purposes.
  5. A video link (e.g., YouTube/Vimeo) for the preliminary selection. The video must not be older than 12 months and must clearly show the applicant’s face and hands (and, for piano, the keyboard) in an unedited version.

Procedure and deadlines

  • The completed application must be received by 1 November 2025 at the latest via the application form on the landing page. Applications received after this date cannot be considered.
  • The winners of the preliminary round will be announced on 1 December 2025.
  • The winners of the semi-finals will be announced on 1 January 2026.
  • Invitation to the semi-final winners to attend the final on 1 February 2026.
  • Announcement of the winner: The winner will be officially announced on 22 June 2026.

Repertoire and musical requirements

  • Focus: The performance of European classical music and challenging contemporary compositions. Innovative collaborations and the fusion of European and Arab traditions are expressly encouraged.
  • Performance: All works (except sonatas with piano and contemporary pieces) must, as a rule, be performed from memory and without repeats.
  • Sheet music: It is recommended that you use Urtext editions. You may only perform your own compositions subject to prior consultation and approval.
  • Programme duration: The minimum playing time in the first round is 20 minutes.

Organisation of the competition

  • Procedure: The competition takes place in several stages: a digital pre-selection via video, followed by public live rounds (preliminary round, semi-final, final) in Munich, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
  • Attendance: Participants must attend in person on the dates drawn. Failure to attend will result in exclusion.
  • Accompaniment: Official piano accompanists will be provided free of charge for the live rounds. Participants may bring their own accompanists at their own expense.

Jury and assessment

  • The jury is made up of internationally renowned figures from the world of music.
  • In addition to technical perfection, the assessment criteria include, in particular, expressiveness, personality, stage presence and the ability to interpret works from a cross-cultural perspective.
  • If a jury member’s student is among the participants, that member must not carry out the relevant assessment.
  • The jury’s decisions are final and binding. No legal recourse is available.

Prices and funding

  • As well as cash prizes, the focus is on career development. This includes arranging concert engagements, performances at the final events and participation in mentoring programmes.
  • Prize-winners are required to perform at the prize-winners’ concerts without remuneration.

Accommodation and travel expenses

  • As a general rule, participants are responsible for covering their own travel and accommodation costs for the first round.
  • From the semi-finals onwards, the organiser may cover the costs of accommodation and meals at selected partner hotels.

Media exploitation and copyright

  • By registering, participants agree that the organiser may use all performances, photographs and video recordings for the purposes of documenting and promoting the cultural award (radio, television, social media), without any restrictions as to time or place.
  • There is no entitlement to additional remuneration.

Acceptance of the terms and conditions

  • By submitting their application, applicants accept all the above conditions as binding. No legal recourse is available.