Festivals
IFOM26 Festival for orthodox music and art
Friday, 25/09/2026 / 03:00 PM - 08:00 PM / Serbisch-Orthodoxe Kirche
- Free of charge
IFOM26 – 2nd International Festival of Orthodox Music and Art
Music. Art. Tradition. Encounter.
The 2nd International Festival of Orthodox Music and Art – IFOM26 invites audiences to a unique encounter with the rich world of Orthodox music, art, culture, and spirituality.
Taking place at the Serbian Orthodox Church, Schellingstraße 7, Hamburg, the festival brings together musicians, artists, speakers, children, young people, and visitors from different cultural backgrounds. Through music and artistic expression, IFOM26 creates a space for dialogue, inspiration, and shared experience.
A Diverse Program of Music and Art
The festival program offers a wide range of events, including choir concerts, lectures, poetry, SandArt, open discussions, and creative workshops for children and adults.
Among the musical guests are the Concert Choir and Saturday Choir of the Church of St. John of Kronstadt in Hamburg, the Vocal Ensemble of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Choir of St. Paisios the Athonite, the Choir of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of St. Cyril and Methodius, the Liturgical Choir of the Serbian Orthodox Church of the Holy Archangel Michael, the Chamber Choir of the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Procopius, the Georgian Orthodox Church Choir of St. Nino, as well as the IFOM26 Festival Ensemble.
Together, these ensembles present the remarkable diversity of Orthodox choral traditions and their different musical and cultural expressions.
Bringing the Orthodox Liturgy to Life Through Sound
One of the festival's special program highlights is the lecture “Bringing the Orthodox Liturgy to Life Through Sound.” The presentation explores both the theory and practice of Orthodox choral conducting and offers insights into the musical interpretation of liturgical traditions.
Poetry and SandArt
With “Lullaby of the Mother of God,” Knjigralište & Slavopoj present a unique SandArt theatre performance in Serbian and English, combining visual storytelling, music, and poetry in an imaginative and moving artistic experience.
Reciter Danijela Milinković will also present a special poetic contribution in Serbian.
“Homecoming – The Youth Ask”
Young people take center stage in the open discussion “Homecoming – The Youth Ask,” with Archpriest Milutin Marić.
The discussion provides an open and welcoming space where young people can ask questions, share their perspectives, and engage in conversation in German. It is an invitation to explore questions of faith, identity, tradition, belonging, and life today.
Discover, Create, Participate
IFOM26 is not only about watching and listening — it is also about taking part.
In the icon painting and choral singing workshops, children and adults can discover traditional forms of Orthodox art and music while expressing their own creativity. Participants are invited to explore, learn, and experience the joy of creating together.
The IFOM26 Festival Ensemble
A particular highlight of the festival is the IFOM26 Festival Ensemble, an ensemble formed especially for the occasion.
Together with invited guest musicians, the ensemble will present a special concert celebrating the festival's spirit of collaboration and musical encounter. At the same time, IFOM26 looks towards the future: new musicians are warmly invited to become part of the ensemble and help shape its musical journey in the years ahead.
A Festival of Encounter
IFOM26 brings together music, art, tradition, spirituality, and people. It celebrates the richness of Orthodox
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