Mikhail Kambarov Wins the Montenegro Grand Prix at the Montenegro International Piano Festival

Following several days filled with outstanding performances, inspiring artistic encounters, and the remarkable talent of young pianists from around the world, the competition programme of the Montenegro International Piano Festival 2026 has successfully concluded.

This year's edition of the international piano competition brought together 49 participants from 20 countries, aged 5 to 30, further confirming the festival's position as one of the most significant international music events for young pianists in the region.

Over the course of three competition days, audiences and jury members had the opportunity to experience an exceptionally diverse repertoire and discover a new generation of talented artists from Europe, Asia, and North America.

The laureates were selected by an international jury composed of distinguished pianists and educators: Nataliya Trull (Russia), Jury President; Ian Jones (United Kingdom); Giuseppe Devastato (Italy); Denise Lutgens (The Netherlands); and Danijel Gašparović (Croatia).

The festival's highest distinction, the Montenegro Grand Prix 2026, was awarded to Russian pianist Mikhail Kambarov, one of the most promising young artists of his generation. Kambarov is a laureate of numerous international competitions and a prizewinner of the 17th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, one of the world's most prestigious piano competitions. Throughout his career, he has performed with renowned orchestras and appeared in prestigious concert venues across Europe, Asia, and the United States, including the Berliner Philharmonie, Beethoven-Haus Bonn, Mendelssohn-Haus Leipzig, and Mirabell Palace Salzburg. His Grand Prix victory further confirms the exceptionally high artistic standards that the Montenegro International Piano Festival continues to attract and present to audiences in Montenegro.

Special recognition also goes to the laureates of the remaining categories, among whom young artists from Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Russia, and Türkiye particularly distinguished themselves.

In the youngest categories, awards were presented to Vuk Stepanović, Ali Mujić, Mihajlo Šućur, and Nikolija Ožegović, while the most successful performances in the intermediate age groups were delivered by Almina Yücel, Varvara Babicheva, Aslıhan Poladova, İnci Akbaş, Hediye Yücel, and Kalina Jovanović.

Their performances demonstrated remarkable musical maturity, technical command, and artistic expression, confirming the emergence of exceptional talent among the youngest generations of pianists.

In the senior categories, Iván Carpintero Vivar from Spain, Darina Pišlová from the Czech Republic, and Matej Božić from Croatia stood out in particular, earning the highest marks from the jury. The diversity of artistic approaches, the richness of repertoire, and the outstanding performance level of all laureates defined this year's competition, further reinforcing the festival's international character and its role in recognizing and promoting young piano talents from around the world.

This year's competition featured a total prize fund of €10,000. In addition to cash awards, laureates received concert engagements, special recognitions, and opportunities for further international artistic promotion.

Festival Founder and Artistic Director Vasilisa Lopušina emphasized that she is especially proud of the international character of this year's edition and the exceptional quality of the participants who performed in Kotor over the past several days.

"The Montenegro International Piano Festival continues to grow year after year, strengthening its position on the international musical map. The festival's greatest value lies not only in the prizes and awards, but in the young people it brings together, the friendships it creates, and the opportunities it opens for talented artists. That is precisely why this festival exists. We are particularly delighted that this year Montenegro has welcomed participants from as many as 20 countries, allowing us to build together a space where excellence, talent, and a love for music are truly celebrated."

The competition programme represents the central segment of the seven-day Montenegro International Piano Festival, which, in addition to the international competition, includes concerts by renowned artists, masterclasses, and educational activities.

The festival continues until June 21 with concerts and special events marking World Music Day, once again reaffirming its mission to position Montenegro as an important meeting place for young artists and leading music professionals from around the world.