European Music Competition
Lions European Music Competition – Organisation and objectives
Organization of the Music Competition
This Committee is responsible for organizing the competition and selecting talented candidates.
Objective
The Lions European Music Competition aims to support and encourage promising young musicians at the beginning of their careers. The competition provides them with a platform to showcase their talent and develop their musical future.
In addition to the competition itself, we organize concerts to offer the winners further performance opportunities, helping them gain exposure and increase their visibility.
History and Background
The Lions European Music Competition was established in 1988 during the European Forum in Gothenburg.
Since 1998, the national selection competition has been organized annually in Belgium. Over the years, the event has become an important stepping stone for emerging musical talent.
Since the 2024 European Forum in Bordeaux, the Lions European Music Competition has no longer been a side event but has become an integral part of the program of every future European Forum. The constitution of the Lions Europe Forums has been amended accordingly.
Much More Than a Competition: Performances and Promotion
Our competition is not limited to selecting winners and awarding prizes—it goes far beyond that.
We actively support the winners by providing them with performance opportunities at exclusive musical events. This enables them not only to gain valuable experience but also to reach wider audiences and further their professional careers.
The Lions European Music Competition is much more than a contest—it is a unique opportunity for young talents to shine! ✨
Sunday, 19th April 2026,
National Lions Music Competition
The magnificent Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) in Brussels hosted the National Lions Music Competition, dedicated this year to the PIANO.
Talented young pianists competed in a musical challenge, showcasing their skills and artistry.
Our distinguished panel of experts — Nikolas Kende, Stephanie Salmin, Florian Noack, and Liebrecht Vanbeckevoort — carefully and professionally evaluated the performances.
Based on their scores, winners were selected in two categories:
- European
- Junior
The winners receive not only a cash prize but also a diploma.
All other participants are awarded a Certificate of Participation in recognition of their commitment and musical talent.
The 1st European Laureate will represent our country (MD 112 Belgium) at the Lions European Music Competition “Thomas Kuti”, which will take place during the European Forum in Karlsruhe, Germany, in October 2026.
It promises once again to be an inspiring and moving day of competition.
Join us! Everyone is welcome (free admission, including non-Lions).
We are also pleased to announce that the 2026–2027 edition of the National Lions Music Competition will be dedicated to the violin.
The Lions European Music Competition Thomas Kuti 2026–2027 will be held in Venice, Italy.
We sincerely hope to count on your valued support and enthusiastic attendance once again!
Magda Baptist
President, National Lions Music Competition
Jos Roosemont
Honorary President, National Lions Music Competition
The 2024–2025 Lions European Music Competition Thomas Kuti took place in Dublin, featuring the cello as the designated instrument.
Here are the results:
- Gabriel Guignier – France (Audience Prize)
- Isaac Lottman – Netherlands
- Charlotte Melkonian – Germany (Audience Prize)
Feel free to watch the competition final and the charity concert: