Verbier Festival Announces Cancellation

March 26, 2020 — VERBIER (Switzerland) — The Verbier Festival and the Commune de Bagnes today announced with infinite regret and sadness the cancellation of the 2020 Verbier Festival this coming summer.

“The Verbier Festival has created a truly global inter-generational gathering place in Verbier for 26 years. Artists, students and music-lovers from all over the world make the trip to be with us each summer which puts us in a precarious position under present circumstances,” commented the Festival’s Founder & Director, Martin T:son Engstroem.

“We have always been proud to call our community of artists, students, festivalgoers, Friends of the Festival and community partners our ‘family’,” he continued. “This is a time to protect this family; its health and well-being are our primary concern. This cancellation will inevitably have financial implications on artists who will be without work this summer, businesses in Verbier and the region, and the temporary staff who join us each summer; we feel deeply for them all.”

The Commune de Bagnes has been involved in every step of this difficult decision. “Everyone knows how important this summer event is for our resort,” added Eloi Rossier, President of the commune. Our priority is the health of our residents and visitors as well as the sustainability of this festival that is so important to us. Once this health crisis is behind us, we will continue to work closely with the Verbier Festival so that music resounds in our valley once again.”

Ticket sales cover about a third of the overall cost of the Festival and Academy and while all ticket purchases will be eligible for full refund, or credit for next year’s Festival, the Festival asks all patrons to consider converting all or part of what they have paid into a donation to help the organisation honour its commitments and ongoing operations through this difficult time. Everyone associated with the Festival would be enormously grateful for this support. Information about refunds and donations is available at verbierfestival.com.

The Festival extends immeasurable thanks to its artists, students, faithful festivalgoers and Friends of the Verbier Festival for their patience and support in this challenging period. And of course, it is enormously grateful to Commune de Bagnes, Loterie Romande, Canton du Valais, its committed donors and partners—in particular Principal Philanthropic Partner Aline Foriel-Destezet, the Verbier Festival Chairman’s Circle, The Friends of the Verbier Festival, and Principal Sponsors Bank Julius Baer and the Neva Foundation—as well as the Verbier Festival Foundation Board, staff and volunteers, all of whom are working tirelessly to ensure that our beloved Verbier Festival will return next year and in the future.

The Verbier Festival is a classical music festival that encourages sharing between great musicians and young aspiring artists from around the world. It is committed to excellence in music performance and education through its highly respected artistic programme, Academy and community engagement programmes. The next edition of the Verbier Festival, with Principal Sponsorship of Bank Julius Baer and Neva Foundation, will place 16 July to 1 August 2021 in Verbier (Switzerland).