Festival of international encounters: Diversity celebrates in Erding!

Festival of international encounters: Diversity celebrates in Erding!

On July 4, 2025, the 46th Festival of International Encounters and Europe Day of Music took place on the music school grounds in Erding. In bright summer weather, visitors flocked to an event that featured musical performances, dancing and a variety of international cuisine. Under the umbrella of District Administrator Martin Bayerstorfer, the tradition of this multicultural festival, which was organized by the district music school and the district office, was emphasized. The aim was to promote integration, community and harmonious coexistence, which was particularly noticeable this year.

The festival's guest of honor, Stefan Detig, Honorary Consul of the Philippines, was honored and received a gift, underlining the importance of international relations and cultural exchange. The musical contributions covered a wide range, including performances by ensembles from the district music school as well as impressive performances of Turkish folklore, Thai, Sri Lankan and Filipino dances.

Experience cultural diversity

A highlight of the festival was the performance of the SamBrazel Band, who thrilled the audience with their rousing music. From a culinary perspective, festival visitors could look forward to a journey through the flavors of different countries. Stalls offered specialties from Brazil, Italy, Kenya, Poland, Hungary, Sri Lanka, Spain, Turkey and the Philippines, underlining the cultural diversity and international character of the festival.

The festival was opened by a percussion group led by Edi Karbaumer. There were also performances by the wind youth orchestra and the district music school wind orchestra, both conducted by Kurt Müller. Children from the music partnerships from the Dorfen/Nord and Taufkirchen elementary schools also contributed to the celebration by playing the flutes under the direction of Claudia Góndola de Hackel and Gabriel Keogh.

Commitment to integration

The great commitment of the music school was particularly evident in the concert hall, where the choir of the vocational and district music school under the direction of Peter Heger presented songs from various cultural groups. The youth symphony and symphony orchestra under the direction of Veronika Marschall also ensured an unforgettable evening. There was also woodwind and string music by Miriam Graf and Karin Neumeier as well as classical songs from Poland, accompanied by Iwona Pakulska.

A pop music performance also took place as part of the festival: the junior band from the KMS band project, led by Max Pfaff and Arno Haselsteiner, as well as Marcella Haubrich's pop singing class performed on the outdoor stage. Such events are important to promote cultural exchange and celebrate the diversity of society, which also occupies an important place in the context of the numerous new cultural impulses that have arisen since 2011 due to the influx of people from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and North Africa. The integration of new voices and ideas enriches our cultural life and promotes a coexistence between cultures, which is supported by initiatives and organizations that actively promote this exchange.

The International Encounter Festival in Erding was not only a festival of music and cuisine, but also a strong symbol of integration and intercultural dialogue in Germany and beyond.

For more information about the cultural events and initiatives that promote integration, you can visit Facts about Germany. merkur.de also regularly reports on interesting events and cultural highlights in the region. In addition, LSM.lv offers insights into international folklore events and their influence on cultural diversity in Europe.