Passionate performances, resounding bridges and international encounters: At this year's Europavox Campus Band Competition, Regensburg became the center of young European music culture for a week. As the host of this year's final, OTH Regensburg brought together around 70 students and teachers from five European countries - united by music, creativity and lively exchange.
The focus of the week was the grand finale of the band competition on Wednesday, April 9, in the Leerer Beutel. More than 200 music enthusiasts watched the show and even before the first note was played, the expectant energy was palpable. This excitement was released in loud enthusiasm as the five finalists from Lithuania, France, Norway, Romania and Germany performed their self-composed songs on stage.
A musical bridge through Europe
The evening was opened by the formation Camelia Chelariu from the Universitatea “Ovidius” din Constanța from Romania, whose melancholy and powerful ballads with rap elements immediately captivated the audience. They were followed by the Norwegian folk formation Miss Wednesday from Høgskulen på Vestlandet, Bergen/Stord, and the French rapper Sim's Le Petit Prince (Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand). Magazine Front Cover from OTH Regensburg then took to the stage. Kolja Briesen, a student of social work, performed solo on guitar and delivered an intense indie rock performance.
The Lithuanian punk band Sipas from Vilniaus Gedimino technikos universitetas closed the show - loud, energetic, rousing. Their uncompromising stage presence catapulted them deservedly to first place in the end. The trophy, a specially designed replica of the Stone Bridge, was presented personally by Prof. Dr. Christian Zürner, Professor of Social Cultural Work at the Faculty of Social and Health Sciences at OTH Regensburg. Sipas accepted it on behalf of everyone - because one thing became clear throughout the week: there was not just one winning band here, but many winners of living European togetherness.
"This trophy not only stands for a musical victory, but for a week full of encounters, ideas and shared experiences. We wanted more than just a competition - we wanted to create a connection that goes beyond music. And together we succeeded," said Prof. Dr. Christian Zürner. During the breaks in the final, students also presented selected works of art from their own countries and entered into an open dialog with the audience about political, cultural and social issues. A creative supporting program that gave the event additional depth. Together with a team from OTH Regensburg, Professor Zürner organized the band competition and the “Welcoming Week” from 7 to 11 April in Regensburg.
OTH Regensburg as a host with a European heart
In addition to the musical highlight, numerous program items ensured intercultural encounters. Partners from eight universities came to Regensburg as part of the network meeting of the European University Alliance ARTEMIS. At the kick-off in the historic Reichssaal in the Old Town Hall, guests were welcomed by Regensburg's Lord Mayor Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer, Prof. Dr. Birgit Rösel, Vice President of OTH Regensburg, and UCA Vice President Prof. Dr. Marie-Elisabeth Baudoin, among others. The program also included guided tours of the campus with a musical performance by OTH Regensburg students, the TechBase, the Technology Campus Neustadt an der Donau and the OTH Regensburg Start-up Lab.
A special moment was the collective sound performance on the Stone Bridge: On the eve of the Europavox final, the international students and university staff gathered along the entire length of the bridge. Singing and chanting, they formed a single, highly symbolic body of sound - as a sign of the common European spirit.
Europavox as part of the European University Alliance
The Europavox Campus Band Competition is also an expression of the close cooperation within the European University Alliance, in which OTH Regensburg and its international partner universities are committed to a strong, networked Europe in education, research and culture. The Alliance not only promotes academic mobility and joint study programs, but also focuses on cultural projects such as Europavox, which bring the European idea to life in a creative way.
As the host of this year's Europavox final, OTH Regensburg was not only the venue, but also a bridge builder: "Europavox showed how tangible and lively European cooperation can be - creative, open and full of energy. When students from five countries make music together, exchange ideas and learn from each other, it's not only a great experience, but also internationalization in action. It is precisely these kinds of encounters that we need in our European University Alliance - they turn partnerships into real community," emphasized Prof. Dr. Oliver Steffens, Vice President for International Affairs at OTH Regensburg.
Background: The Europavox Campus Band Competition
The Europavox Campus Band Competition is part of the Europavox platform funded by the European Union, which aims to promote European music and make young artists known across borders. In cooperation with universities in France, Norway, Romania, Lithuania and Germany, the project brings young talents together - musically, culturally and personally.
More information about Europavox and the participating musicians can be found athttps://campus.europavox.com/en/.
