One organisation, four events

Since May 2017, the Sion Violin Music Foundation (SVM) has brought together the three events founded by the Hungarian violinist Tibor Varga almost 60 years ago: the Tibor Varga Music Academy, the Sion Festival, and the Tibor Varga International Violin Competition. In 2018, the Tibor Junior International Violin Competition was added. Each entity retains its artistic independence. From 2024, Janine Jansen will join Pavel Vernikov as Artistic Director of the Festival. The Academy is managed by a six-member Artistic Committee, the Competitions by the Foundation and Pavel Vernikov.

Regional personalities on the Board

Chaired by Olivier Vocat, the Foundation Board is made up of eleven regional personalities, all volunteers, from the fields of culture, economy, and politics. It decides on the strategic positioning of the Foundation. A five-member Bureau of the Board oversees the administrative team.

– Olivier Vocat (Chair)
– Béthy Zufferey
– Jörg Lingenberg
– Mauricio Ranzi
– Mireille Hofmann Jacquod
– Marylène Volpi Fournier
– Ruth Puhr
– Thierry Debons
– Sébastien Gattlen
– Serge Métrailler
– Sylvain Jaccard

A professional administration

Headed by Ruth Puhr, the administrative team comprises seven part-time employees. It is completed in the summer by trainees and commissioned professionals (stage management, photos, video, etc.). It ensures the smooth running of the Foundation’s activities.

– Ruth Puhr, Director
– Carmen Vuistiner, Administration and ticketing officer
– Lina Luzzi, Administrative assistant
– Barbara Knopf, Public relations manager
– Diana Giudice, Communications manager
– Romane Carbonnel, Digital marketing, editor
– Maïwenn Bachmann, Production manager