SynerJoy: where Cyprus’s multicultural voices find harmony

Music musicTop News SynerJoy: where Cyprus’s multicultural voices find harmony Screenshot Relevant News SynerJoy: where Cyprus’s multicultural voices find harmony 3 August 2026 Things to do on Monday, August 3 3 August 2026 Yellow warning issued as temperatures reach 40 degrees 3 August 2026 Christina Karakondylou 3 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Less than a year after its formation, SynerJoy Choir, a multicultural ensemble based in Limassol, won a silver award at the 15th World Peace Choral Festival in Vienna in July 2026, marking its first international competitive appearance. The choir represented Cyprus at venues including the United Nations headquarters in Vienna and the Golden Hall of the Musikverein, one of the world’s best-known concert halls. It also performed at Vienna City Hall, the Strauss House and other historic locations during the festival. Its programme included the traditional Cypriot folk song “Ta Riallia”, performed in Cypriot in an original choral arrangement. For the choir’s founder and conductor, Viktoriia Kotovich, the festival’s focus on peace closely reflected the group’s identity. “Our choir brings together people of different nationalities, languages, cultures, and life stories,” she told en.philenews. “We don’t ask where someone comes from—we simply create music together.” Representing Cyprus at an event dedicated to peace was particularly meaningful, she said, because the island is itself a meeting point of cultures. “For us, peace is not just a theme of the festival—it is something we experience every week in our rehearsals.” From a new choir to an international stage SynerJoy Choir was less than a year old when it received the invitation to perform in Vienna. “It was an unforgettable moment,” Kotovich said. “Our choir is less than a year old, so receiving an invitation to one of the world’s most respected choral festivals felt almost unbelievable.” The choir developed a programme intended to reflect both its artistic identity and the values of the festival. It combined sacred music, contemporary choral works, spirituals and traditional Cypriot music. “We wanted every piece to tell part of our story,” Kotovich said. Together, she added, the works spoke about “beauty, peace, hope, faith, and cultural diversity”. A sound held together by sincerity The choir’s repertoire ranges from composers including Anton Bruckner, Karl Jenkins and John Rutter to spirituals, folk music and contemporary pop arrangements. Despite that variety, Kotovich said one quality defines what might be called the “SynerJoy sound”. “Our repertoire is very diverse, but one thing always remains the same: sincerity,” she said. Whether the choir performs classical, sacred, folk or contemporary music, its aim is to tell a story and form an emotional connection with the audience. “Our sound is built not only on musical technique but on trust, friendship, and a shared belief that every performance should touch people’s hearts.” Many cultures, one choir The cultural backgrounds of the choir’s members also influence its musical direction. “One of the greatest advantages of our choir is that every member brings a piece of their own culture,” Kotovich said. “We love exploring different musical traditions and learning from one another.” At the same time, the choir sees promoting Cypriot music abroad as an important part of its role. Performing “Ta Riallia” in Cypriot was among the most meaningful moments of its Vienna appearance, Kotovich said, particularly as the choir was representing Cyprus on an international stage. “In the future, we hope to continue expanding our repertoire by exploring music from the many cultures represented within our choir.” Building belonging through music The idea for SynerJoy Choir developed from Kotovich’s experience of Cyprus as a home to people from many countries. Many of those who move to the island have left behind families, careers and communities, she said, while music can help them find connection and belonging in a new place. “We wanted to create more than just a choir,” she said. “We wanted to build a community where people could find friendship, inspiration, and a sense of belonging.” Rehearsals have therefore become about more than learning and performing music. “They are about sharing cultures, celebrating traditions, learning new languages, and building friendships that continue far beyond the rehearsal room,” Kotovich said. Kotovich is a conductor, music teacher and founder of the SynerJoy Center for Music, Art and Creativity in Limassol, where she has spent more than 15 years developing music education and international cultural projects. The choir’s appearance in Vienna marked its first international competitive outing. “We are happy that we were able to talk about Cyprus in the language of music,” she said. “It is a great honour to perform a Cypriot folk song in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein and within the walls of the United Nations. This award belongs not only to our choir, but also to Cyprus, which inspires us with its cultural heritage and hospitality.” An open invitation Most SynerJoy singers are not professional musicians. They include teachers, doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, students and parents brought together by a shared love of music. Kotovich said people should not wait until they feel they are “good enough” before joining a choir. “A choir is not about perfection. It is about growing together,” she said. “You will improve your voice, develop your musicianship, meet wonderful people from around the world, and become part of something much bigger than yourself.” Sometimes, she added, joining begins simply with finding the courage to attend a first rehearsal. “At SynerJoy Choir, everyone is welcome. We believe that every voice matters, and together those voices become something truly extraordinary.” Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Things to do on Monday, August 3 Yellow warning issued as temperatures reach 40 degrees EU calls emergency home affairs meeting over Ceuta migrant arrivals dispute Limassol police sweep sweeps up 40 migrants as authorities rush through same-day deportations Nicosia drug squad raid uncovers narcotics cache and leads to two arrests Gaza airstrikes continue for second day despite Trump ceasefire breakthrough claim Temperatures to hit 40 degrees as yellow weather warning takes effect Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.