Presided by Shlomo Minzt since 2002, the competition was first organized in 1967 by violinist Tibor Varga,whose name is worn today by the prestigious tournament .
Tibor Varga International Violin Competititon is held every two years during the months of August and September in Switzerland and is part of the Sion Festival.The contest aims at widening the exposure of the participants, who are between 15 and 32 years of age. Further objective is to give encouragement and support to prize winners in their prospective music career. Previous winners include Nam-yun Kim and Liana Gourdjia. Distinguished representatives of the music world, eminent violin performers and teachers are invited as jury members. Furthermore, a youth jury composed of young string players between 14 and 18 selected amongst the first prize winners of the Swiss Youth Music Competition was formed since 2009. It awards a special prize to the candidate of its choice at the end of the competition. Direct transmission of the second round, finals and the Gala concert is arranged and available on its website.
