Salurinn Concert Hall Prepares for the WPTA Iceland International Piano Competition and Summer Festival
Salurinn Concert Hall in Kópavogur is getting ready to host the second iteration of the WPTA Iceland International Piano Competition (IPC26) alongside an intensive international summer festival. Scheduled for August 4th through August 16th, the multi-day event brings together young pianists, esteemed faculty, and music enthusiasts for a comprehensive program of masterclasses, competitive performances, and public concerts.
The initiative is organized in close collaboration with WPTA Iceland, the Iceland University of the Arts Open University (Opni Listaháskólinn), and the Kópavogur Music School. Receiving ongoing backing from the municipality of Kópavogur cultural fund, the project aims to provide a professional international platform for pianists aged 10 to 25. Competitors will perform before an international jury panel within the acoustically refined spaces of Salurinn Concert Hall. Furthermore, the competition holds certification from the Alink-Argerich Foundation, with monetary awards sponsored by Tónastöðin and Steinway.
What Visitors and Participants Can Expect in Kópavogur
Running alongside the competition from August 4th to August 13th, the International Summer Festival offers young musicians masterclasses and performance opportunities led by visiting international professors and local artists.
For local visitors and culture seekers in the Reykjavik area, a standout aspect of the August schedule is accessibility: all competition events, masterclasses, and festival concerts held at Salurinn are entirely free and open to the general public. It provides a rare chance to experience high-level classical performances and support emerging talent in a premier concert venue.
Aspiring participants looking to join the programme can submit their paperwork starting February 1st, with submissions closing on June 1st. More details on the application guidelines and institutional schedules can be reviewed directly through WPTA Iceland or via Opni LHÍ.
To discover more cultural highlights and upcoming exhibitions across the capital area, explore the Reykjavik museum list or search for specific events on the what's on guide, all brought to you by Musemap (musemap.art).
