Music
Peja's “Siparantum” choir seeks 21,000 euros for Prague after municipality cuts its support by 80%
The choir, a prize winner in Kuala Lumpur and Herceg Novi, holds a free concert Saturday at the “Jusuf Gërvalla” cinema to raise funds for the “Songs of Europe” festival.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 20, 2026, 12:55 · Updated 12:23 · 2 min read
In brief
- The “Siparantum” choir holds a free-admission concert on Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. at the “Jusuf Gërvalla” cinema in Peja.
- The concert aims to raise 21,000 euros for the choir's participation in the “Songs of Europe” festival in Prague, Nov. 18–23.
- The Municipality of Peja allocated 2,000 euros for 2026, down from the 10,000 it previously gave, a cut the choir calls insufficient.
The “Siparantum” choir from Peja will hold a concert Saturday, Oct. 24, at 8 p.m. at the “Jusuf Gërvalla” cinema, aiming to raise funds for one of the most important international appearances in its history. Admission is free.
The choir, founded in 2017 as a volunteer initiative, has been invited to take part in the “Songs of Europe” festival in Prague, Czech Republic, which runs from Nov. 18 to 23. According to the choir, its members will sing at Smetana Hall, the Church of St. Salvator and St. Nicholas Church.
21,000 euros by Nov. 1
Travel, accommodation and meals for the members require 21,000 euros. Because of the organizers' deadlines, the choir says the financial support must be secured by Nov. 1. In addition to the concert, donations are also accepted via bank transfer from within the country and abroad.
The choir complains of a sharp cut in support from the Municipality of Peja. According to the choir, in 2023, 2024 and 2025 the municipality gave it 10,000 euros a year, while for 2026 it has allocated only 2,000 euros, a cut of 80 percent. The choir describes this amount as “insufficient and unrealistic.”
In its announcement, the choir explains that the invitation to Prague is a rare opportunity for a volunteer ensemble from Kosovo to perform in some of the best-known halls and churches of the Czech capital. That is why members see Saturday's concert in Peja as the main step toward making the trip possible.
Awards in Asia and Montenegro
Despite its financial difficulties, 2026 has been a successful year for the ensemble. In August it won three awards at the MCE international choir festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and at the end of September it received three more at the International Choir Festival in Herceg Novi, Montenegro.
