The 19th edition of the UAE CSI Choir Festival was hosted by the CSI Parish (Malayalam) Dubai on Saturday, 10th May 2025. Choirs from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Jebel Ali and Sharjah attended the Choir Festival.
Rev. C. Y. Thomas, Vicar, CSI St. Thomas Church, Tholasserry (the 8th Vicar of the Dubai parish, who was also instrumental in starting the UAE CSI Choir Festival in 2002), was the chief guest. In his address, Achen referred to Martin Luther, who viewed "songs and singing as a medium of praise to God". Choral singing should neither be a ritual nor a performance. Rather, it is considered a ministry, and hence, each chorister is a minister.
The presence of Rev. Sunilraj Philip (Vicar, Sharjah parish), Rev. Biju Kunjummen (Vicar, Abu Dhabi parish), Rev. Charles M. Jerril (Vicar, Jebel Ali parish), and Rev. Sojee Varghese John (Vicar, CSI St. Barnabas Church, Ennooramvayal and former Vicar of Abu Dhabi parish) blessed the occasion. Rev. Raju Jacob (Vicar, Dubai parish) led the prayers. Mr. A. P. John, Vice President of the Dubai parish, gave the welcome speech. Mr. George Kuruvilla, Convenor of the 19th Choir festival, delivered the vote of thanks. Mrs. Annie Mathew (Manju) was the MC for the event.
As per tradition, Choir festivals end with all parish choirs joining together in singing. This year, the 250 strong mass choir sang Josef Haydn’s famous chorus “The heavens are telling” from his oratorio “The Creation”, which was a memorable experience for all who attended. Mr. George Kuruvilla, Convenor of the 19th Choir festival, handed over the Choir Festival flag to Mr. Anil Mathew Varghese, Convenor of the 20th UAE CSI Choir Festival to be hosted by the Abu Dhabi parish.
The UAE CSI Choir Festival is an annual event which started in 2002, hosted by the Dubai parish, and has witnessed the fellowship of CSI Choirs from different emirates in the UAE ever since. It is a coincidence that the recent edition (restarting after a gap of 6 years) was also hosted by the Dubai parish. We praise and thank the Lord Almighty for his providence which helped the Dubai parish to host a blessed Choir Festival, during the year of it's Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The photos of the Choir Festival are available here : https://www.csidubai.com/gallery/81/19th-uae-csi-choir-festival-2025
The video of the Choir Festival is available here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApjYdAZfhsk