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Luxembourg's only classical guitar festival returns for its fourth edition this May, with a packed nine-day programme of concerts, competitions, and masterclasses featuring young talent and international artists.
Josip Dragnic recently joined The Sam Steen Show to preview the Festival de Guitare Luxembourg, which begins its fourth edition from 10–19 May. The event is now internationally recognised and remains the only festival in Luxembourg dedicated exclusively to classical guitar.
Over the course of nine days, audiences can look forward to a diverse programme of concerts, competitions, masterclasses, lectures, and exhibitions. Events will take place at three different venues this year: the Philharmonie, the Conservatoire, and Centre Culturel Schéiss.
The festival begins with the National Youth Competition on 10 and 11 May. This year, forty-three young guitarists from Luxembourg's conservatoires, music schools, and private classes will perform across five age categories. All performances are free and open to the public.
The International Guitar Competition continues on 16 May with a live semifinal round at the Conservatoire. Nine selected participants from around the world will compete for over eight thousand euros in prize money. The final round takes place on Sunday, 18 May, at the Philharmonie and is also free to attend.
One of the headline events is a sold-out performance by the legendary Brazilian guitar duo Assad, who are celebrating sixty years of performing together. Other highlights include a lecture by local luthier Claude Karuana, who will demonstrate how classical guitars are built, and public masterclasses with guest teachers from Belgium and Croatia.
Dragnic also spoke about the long-term impact of the event on Luxembourg's music education. He explained that he and his colleagues started the festival because they recognised the need for more opportunities for young guitarists to perform and stay motivated. According to Dragnic, students now ask year-round when the next edition will take place, showing just how much the festival has helped strengthen the local guitar community.
The final day of the festival, Monday, 19 May, includes a training session for music educators. This will be led by Sergio Assad, who will give a lecture on composing for the guitar.
For the full schedule, venue information, and artist profiles, visit guitarfestival.lu.
