To say we live in turbulent times is not overrated. The age we live in presents us with big questions for our future. War and famine, near and far, rage all around us, claiming tens of thousands of victims. Moreover, the huge challenges of climate change, creating a sustainable world and habitable living circumstances for everyone loom up at the horizon. Could music, and for us in particular song, play a role in this?

There's music in the future
The Dutch speak of ‘future music’ when - according to the Van Dale Dictionary - 'beautiful, but (for the time being) unrealistic expectations, plans' are involved. International Song Festival Zeist loves great plans. And in recent years, even unrealistic plans have turned out to be a reality surprisingly quickly. That's why we think that music and language can offer us comfort and hope in a world where chaos and worry are so prominent. This is not only something of today, but of all times. Because during the heyday of song, at the beginning of the 19^th century, there was also oppression, war violence and lack of freedom for many. We even dare to say that all the great composers whose names we still know today were innovators. With their music, they turned their gaze to the future. With these eyes, we look from the past to a future that contains music. Because as Søren Kierkegaard said: ‘Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.'

The future of music - Music of the future
That’s why we chose The future of music - Music of the futureas our 2025 theme; a theme that invites us to shed light on concepts such as 'future' and 'time' in different ways. What does the passing of time mean? Is it possible for us to be 'ahead of our time' and make our dreams for the future come true?

From Friday 16 to Sunday 25, May 2025, we will show you how past, present and future are connected with programmes in which well-known compositions are performed alongside contemporary works. You will hear works by composers whose work was denied a future in their own time, because their art was branded as 'entartet', because they were women, not white or prayed to another god. There will be ample room to experiment with the traditional form of a song recital and the meantime, ten days full of beauty and music for the future will pass.

Next generation
It might sound cliché, but the future belongs to the next generation! So, in 2025 also, we continue offering an extensive amount of room to provide masterclasses for young, professional song duos. Promising talents will point out the road lying before of us during the Young Artist Platform, the Winners' Recital and theatrical showcases. Because they are the performers of tomorrow. And of course, primary and secondary school pupils make themselves heard. Because if we know how to captivate them now, they will embrace the art of song in the future.

Come and listen, because music is the future!

Henk Neven & Hans Eijsackers