The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of World Youth Day (WYD) Seoul 2027, together with the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, has officially opened the Theme Song Contest, inviting musicians and composers from around the world to create the hymn that will accompany millions of young pilgrims at the next global youth gathering.
Every WYD has its own theme song that becomes the voice of the event. More than just music, it is a prayer set to melody, uniting young people, inspiring faith, and leaving behind a legacy that continues to echo long after the celebration.
For WYD Seoul 2027, the theme is drawn from the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John: “Take courage! I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). Organizers believe this message of hope and courage is especially powerful today, in a world marked by rapid change, uncertainty, and division. Hosting WYD in Seoul, a city that blends modern dynamism with deep tradition, and where Christianity is a minority faith, offers a unique opportunity for dialogue, witness, and peace.
Open to All Musicians Worldwide
The contest is open to participants of all nationalities and musical backgrounds. Compositions must be original, inspired by the WYD 2027 theme, and may be submitted in any of the official WYD languages: Korean, English, Italian, Spanish, French, or Portuguese. All musical styles are welcome.
The winning entry will become the official theme song of WYD Seoul 2027. The composer will also receive a commemorative plaque and support for their pilgrimage to the event.
Criteria for Selection
Entries will be evaluated not only for their artistic quality but also for their ability to express the WYD theme faithfully. Special consideration will be given to songs that are:
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easy to sing and remember,
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suitable for large gatherings of youth,
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adaptable to multiple languages,
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and versatile enough for choral, instrumental, and choreographic arrangements.
The competition is organized by the WYD Seoul 2027 Music Committee under the LOC, in collaboration with the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.
Full details on eligibility, deadlines, and application procedures are available on the official WYD Seoul 2027 website: https://wydseoul.org/en.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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