Greetings from the Secretary General

Dear Friends and Colleagues, A warm welcome to our 2023 Yearbook! So much has happened this year, it seems like much of the world has forgotten that there ever was a pandemic. Inflation, rising consumer prices, climate change, seismic political shifts and on top of it all a war that we never expected to happen- a very difficult year for many of us. Still, many great competitions like the Cliburn, Sibelius, Indianapolis, Paderewski, Viotti, Honens and many more have celebrated their returns after years of unease and worry about an uncertain future.

After countless online meetings and virtual exchanges, we have realised the importance not only of live performances, but also of meeting people live, of shaking hands, of being present at events and speaking to people in person. With this in mind it is a great pleasure to finally return to Japan in 2023 for our General Assembly in Hamamatsu, after having to cancel in 2020. As the country has only recently opened its borders again, it will be a a very special experience, and a wonderful opportunity to meet with old and new friends.

April 2023 will see another unique Federation event: the Horowitz Competition Kyiv-Geneva. Hosted by the WFIMC secretariat together with our Ukrainian colleagues, it will not only be a measure of support for one of our members suffering from the impact of a devastating and unjust war. It will also be a gesture of reaching out to artists no matter their nationality, of bringing musicians together who share the same values and convictions; and of letting music speak at a time where all diplomacy has failed.

We hope this yearbook will be a useful companion through the ever changing world of music competitions!

Sincerely yours

Florian Riem Secretary General