The First Shanghai International Musician Competition

In 1985, the directors of the Savonlinna Opera Festival initiated negotiations with the China Central Opera for their first joint presentation on a European opera stage. This collaboration culminated in a highly successful visit in 1988. In 1992, a group of Finnish friends of Chinese culture, with the support of the Finnish industry, began discussions about organizing a festival in Beijing. The first Forbidden City Music Festival took place in 1996, followed by a second edition in 1998, both featuring high-level international and Chinese instrumentalists. In 2022, the Savonlinna Music Academy had the pleasure of initiating a collaboration with the Shanghai Conservatory. This partnership quickly flourished, resulting in master classes and concerts at both institutions. Most significantly, it laid the foundation for discussions about a competition in holistic musicianship. Through these activities, two major Chinese cities and a small Finnish town have demonstrated the unifying power of musical culture, fostering mutual understanding and highlighting the importance of shared values in life.