Darko Brlek, Artistic and General Director Ljubljana Festival, EFA President

“In the last 20 years, the EFA has undergone major changes, particularly due to the changed political and geographical image of Europe. New countries have emerged, in some cases, unfortunately, accompanied by war, which has had an influence on the cultural image of Europe as a whole. The EFA has members in all of Europe’s countries; it tries to foster understanding of the European dimension and, of course, to present the dimensions of national cultures that are part of the European reality. It is no wonder that the EFA brings together more and more festivals, which have a decisive influence on the cultural image within their own environments, as well as on the social situation. There is no doubt that festivals are the first to reveal changes in society, holding up a mirror to it. In the past, membership in the EFA was extremely important for the growth of the Ljubljana Festival; in the future, the Ljubljana Festival, as a stable member, will endeavour to contribute to the greatest possible extent to the successful operation of the EFA and its members.”

Antun Tomislav Šaban, Secretary General Croatian Composers’ Society (HDS)

"Music Biennale Zagreb, with its 50 years long legacy, belongs to the Croatian national heritage, but at the same time acts as a generator of living, contemporary art production. EFA itself acts in a same way on the global level: it builds platforms for creativity of today, rooted in the legacy of the past."

N. S. Glukhova, General Director Samara Opera House, Festival of Classical Ballet named after Alla Shelest

“During the 60 years of its life the Association has made a great contribution to the cultural integration of European countries, the development of festival movement, rapprochement of the European peoples. It is a privilege for our festival to be a member of the European Festivals Association. Thanks to the inclusion into the EFA the Festival of Classical Ballet named after Alla Shelest has obtained a new creative impulse, new opportunities for development.”

On behalf of Mr. Ivo Josipovic, President of the Republic of Croatia

"We send our sincere congratulations to the members and to the leadership of the European Festivals Association on their jubilee, convinced that the Association can still look forward to many future jubilees in its common endeavour to mould reality through the unlimited powers of artistic creativity."

Bogdan Zdrojewski, Minister of Cutlure and National Heritage, Poland

"We recognise the European Festivals Association as a leading organisation in Europe in the domain of performing arts. Undoubtfuly EFA has given significant support to the art festivals within 60 years of its activity. The celebration of the anniversary will be then an excellent occasion to reflect on the perspectives European cultural cooperation and the future of art festivals."

Plamen Stoilov, Mayor of Ruse (Bulgaria)

"Being member of the big family of the European Festivals Association, the festival in our town has set artistic standards comparable to the hottest points of the world's and European music stage, and has offered to the Bulgarian audience the exclusive opportunity to meet the art of a number of the greatest artists of our time. March Music Days International Festival with its remarkable history and modern present is one of our strongest arguments in favour of the candidature of Ruse for the European capital of culture in 2019. Finally please allow me to congratulate you and all EFA members for the 60th anniversary and wish success to all activities and events throughout the year which will be carried out to commemorate the celebration."

Hans Waege, General Manager Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra

"We would like to congratulate you on the 60th birthday of EFA."

Filiz Eczacıbaşı Sarper, President of İKSEV

“The International Izmir Festival emphasises featuring world renowned artists and has proudly provided opportunities to numerous great artists to perform at unique ancient venues for 26 years. As a member of the European Festivals Association, we believe that we share the common significant objectives of EFA in artistic, cultural and social aspects. We believe multidisciplinary arts can create, establish, enrich, and promote cultural links and mutual understanding between Turkey and Europe. EFA is a unique organisation for festivals having a common agenda in a global context. To celebrate EFA’s Diamond Jubilee we dedicated the final concert of the 8th Dr. Nejat Eczacıbaşı National Composition Contest which encourages young contemporary Turkish composers and has contributed over 150 new symphonic works to our polyphonic music.”

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