Founded in 1992 by guitarists Jorgos Panetsos and Gerald Smrzek, the festival now takes place at the Private University for Music and Art (MUK) and the renowned Vienna Konzerthaus.

First Prize for Slovenia

The festival’s international competition, famous for its rigorous standards, delivered a breakthrough moment for Slovenia: guitarist Leon Ravnikar claimed first place. With his expressive performance, technical brilliance, and nuanced interpretations, Ravnikar convinced the jury and made history for Slovenian guitar art.

His award includes a hand-crafted concert guitar by Bulgarian luthier Rumen Tudorov and a worldwide concert tour featuring ten stops, among them the Asia Guitar Festival in Bangkok.

An Exceptional Challenge

Competitors at FORUM Gitarre Wien perform approximately an hour of repertoire over three rounds, entirely from memory. Reaching the finals is considered a major feat; winning the competition is a distinction reserved for only a handful of guitarists globally.

A Boost for Slovenian Guitarists

Ravnikar’s triumph highlights the strength of Slovenia’s guitar tradition, which has steadily built recognition abroad in recent decades. His victory is not only a personal milestone but also a strong signal that Slovenian musicians can compete on equal footing with the best international performers.