It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you all to the 8th International Music Festival in Phnom Penh which highlights the famous classical composer Franz Liszt. Although the theme of this year's music festival is the work of a European, the fact that it is being staged in Phnom Penh serves to emphasize that contemporary Cambodia is a progressive, open and integrated society where many aspects of culture past and present, can take their place. The festival will be a window of opportunity while allowing, through it, the Khmer people to be exposed and to experience good and meaningful European cultural forms, especially music.

In this spirit I welcome this new era of our country on the cultural world stage, honoring Franz Liszt a unique European who already in his time was transcending boundaries. The focus of our cultural cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany has always been to encourage young artists from Cambodia and the region to actively engage in Western classical music and to support the understanding of music at large. Such cooperation and activity attest to out firm commitment to cultural exchanges between Europe and Asia for a deeper mutual understanding and appreciation of European and Asian cultures.

I wish you all exciting festival days.
HE Him Chhem, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts

This 8th International Music Festival in Phnom Penh in 2011 celebrates the 200th birthday of Franz Liszt, focusing on the enormous body of work of this world-famous composer. Franz Liszt’s musical career took him to various European countries where he received important influences for his work. His open-mindedness and cosmopolitan outlook made him one of the first “true Europeans”. Artistically, most people will recall Liszt as one of the first virtuosos on the piano. However, his later compositions in particular were so advanced that they are regarded as milestones of 20th century music development. It is not to be wondered at that he remains a prominent figure in the contemporary cultural consciousness even today.

Music, together with other classical art forms, has the potential to shape and change our world through the sharing of common values, creativity, learning and communication. These concerts will certainly contribute to an increasingly vibrant cultural partnership that aims at a better and deeper mutual understanding in this world. The German Embassy in Phnom Penh is proud to be part of this by giving its support to this important festival of classical music.

Dr.Wolfgang Moser,
German Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia

Europe with its ancient cultural roots respects and promotes diversity and the compositions of Franz Liszt are excellent examples of how diversity can be celebrated through music.

The 8th International Music Festival, "Franz Liszt – a European Visionary" offers a wonderful opportunity for the Cambodian public to share first hand the richness of music of this prominent European composer.

Cambodia, like so many Asian countries, shares the European love of classical art forms. Music is one of the greatest forms that we can share. Music is a bridge between peoples and cultures. I am convinced that the 8th International Music Festival in Phnom Penh will continue to promote mutual understanding, a wonderful bridge between the people of Cambodia and Europe.

Rafael Dochao Moreno
Chargé d' Affaires a.i.
Delegation of the European Commission to Cambodia

I am pleased to welcome you to the 8th International Music Festival Phnom Penh. This year we celebrate the 200 birthday of Franz Liszt, an outstanding person, composer and musician of the 19th century. The annual International Music Festival as an ongoing contribution for the development of the Cambodian art life brings together again artists from Western and Asian countries.

During festival season you can discover various musical genres of Franz Liszt and his contemporaries such as: piano works, songs, violin recitals and string-orchestra works. Do come and listen what Franz Liszt and his contemporaries have to say - through their music.

Anton Isselhardt
Director of ART plus Foundation and Festival Director