Italian Embassy in Vienna Supports “Sounds for peace” Charity Concert
Music and solidarity promote international cooperation
June 08th, 2026
The Italian Embassy in Vienna supported the “Sounds for Peace” charity concert, held on February 2, 2026, at the Vienna Musikverein in cooperation with the Permanent Missions of Italy to the International Organizations and the OSCE, the Italian Cultural Institute, and the University of Vienna.
The concert featured the Vienna University Orchestra and Choir under the direction of Maestro Vijay Upadhyaya, performing Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem Mass. The event paid tribute to the 125th anniversary of Verdi’s death and coincided with the beginning of the Olympic Truce for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Representatives of the Italian diplomatic network in Vienna highlighted the importance of cultural initiatives that combine artistic excellence with humanitarian objectives. Proceeds from the event were dedicated to the World Food Programme’s ShareTheMeal initiative, supporting global efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity.
The concert demonstrated how music can serve as an effective instrument of cultural diplomacy, fostering dialogue, solidarity, and international cooperation while bringing together diplomatic institutions, academia, and civil society. Through this initiative, the Italian Embassy reinforced the role of culture as a bridge between nations and communities.
