19 events this week

Festival in portrait

Quote of the Week

“A festival is a unique occasion for meeting different people and different cultures. Together with artists who are real masters of communication through art, a festival is a strong builder of bridges between different cultures - and even between civilizations."

Ján Figel’, former European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture, and Youth

EFA 60 Years ON

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29-Nov-2012: Cultural catch-up: Brussels Conversations discussed developing citizenship through culture

The European House for Culture together with the Marcel Hicter Association, the Access to Culture Platform, “A Soul for Europe” and the Philosophy Festival, as well as its partners, organised the Brussels Conversations 2012 on 16/17 November 2012. It was the second of three events held in November to launch the initiative A Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe. Over 100 participants and 25 contributors from 28 countries around Europe and abroad were hosted by the Académie Royale de Langue et de LittératureFrançaises de Belgique at the Palais des Académies. The conversations set the key action points to be developed during the European Year of Citizens 2013, discussing such topics as arts and culture bringing “added value” to citizenship, fear and resentment, and the state of democracy in Europe. - more...

15-Nov-2012: Brussels Conversations (16/17 November) to discuss citizenship in Europe: Why should I care?

Democracy, rights, human values and participation: The European House for Culture and its partners invite to join the Brussels Conversations 2012 on “the Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe” to discuss citizenship in Europe with 30 contributors and 140 participants. The Brussels Conversations take place on 16 and 17 November and are hosted by the Académie Royale de Langue et de Littérature Françaises de Belgique at the Palais des Académies. - more...

09-Nov-2012: Press release: Brussels Conversations 2012 on A Cultural Coalition for a Citizens' Europe

[Press Release; Brussels, 9 November 2012] The European House for Culture together with the Marcel Hicter Association, the Access to Culture Platform, "A Soul for Europe" and the Festival of Philosophy bring the initiative A Cultural Coalition for a Citizens' Europe to Brussels; in collaboration with the European Festivals Association (EFA), ENCATC, EUNIC and Felix Meritis. The Académie Royale de Langue et de Littérature Françaises de Belgique will host the Brussels Conversations 2012 on the 16-17 November where participants will discuss the future of the European project and the citizens' role in making it a reality. Developing citizenship in Europe is one of the essential needs that should be addressed during the European Year of Citizens 2013, and the Cultural Coalition for a Citizens' Europe believes that culture is the key to increasing this spirit of citizenship. - more...

07-Nov-2012: Brussels Conversations 2012 promising high-level exchange about a citizens' Europe

The European House for Culture – together with the Marcel Hicter Association, the Access to Culture Platform, "A Soul for Europe", the Festival of Philosophy, as well as its partners the European Festivals Association, ENCATC, European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) and Felix Meritis – will bring "A Cultural Coalition for a Citizens' Europe" to Brussels for the first Brussels Conversations 2012 to take place on 16-17 November at the Palais des Académies. The 2-day conference will invite participants to discuss the future of the European project and the citizen’s role in making it a reality. - more...

08-Oct-2012: European House for Culture invites to "Brussels Conversations" (16/17 November)

The European Festivals Association (EFA) joins forces with the European House for Culture and partners and invites for the Brussels Conversations 2012 on a Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe, taking place in Brussels on 16-17 November 2012. The 2-day conference will discuss the future of the European project and the citizen’s role in making it a reality. As the initiator of the European House for Culture, EFA will take the occasion of the Brussels Conversation to present its 60th anniversary activities in a stimulating environment. Registration deadline: 1 November. - more...

01-Oct-2012: EFA members continue to celebrate Diamond Jubilee: September and October Highlights

In September and October, members of the European Festivals Association all over Europe dedicate concerts, competitions, conferences and more to the Association’s Diamond Jubilee under the motto “EFA 60 Years On”: the International Festival Wratislavia Cantans (Wroclaw, Poland), the Flanders Festival Brussels (KlaraFestival, Belgium), the Emilia Romagna Festival (Italy), the International Izmir Festival (Turkey), Concentus Moraviae International Music Festival of 13 Towns (Czech Republic), the Belgrade Music Festival (Serbia), the festival CULTURESCAPES (Basel, Switzerland), and the TRANSIT Festival (Flanders Festival Vlaams-Brabant, Leuven, Belgium). - more...

20-Sep-2012: Composition Contest in Izmir: winning work "Kuyucakli Yusuf" dedicated to EFA

[Izmir, 19 September 2012] Murat Cem Orhan’s composition “Kuyucakli Yusuf” won the 8th Dr. Nejat F. Eczacibasi National Composition Contest organised by the Izmir Foundation for Culture Arts and Education (IKSEV) in memory of its founding chairman. The work takes its theme from Sabahattin Ali’s immortal novel “Kuyucakli Yusuf” and was dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the European Festivals Association (EFA) by IKSEV and its composer. - more...

18-Sep-2012: EFA Jubilee celebrated in Izmir: Finale Excitement of the Young Composers

[Press Release, Izmir, 13 September 2012] Only a few days to the result of the 8th Dr. Nejat F. Eczacibasi National Composition Contest, finale excitement has gripped the young composers whose works will compete. On 18 September 2012, Tuesday at 20.00 hrs., the Izmir State Opera and Ballet Orchestra will perform the works named "Kuyucakli Yusuf" by Murat Cem Orhan and "Zümrüd-ü Anka" by Mesruh Savas under conduct of Tulio Gagliardo Varas. After the concert that will be made with the cooperation of Izmir Foundation for Culture Arts and Education (IKSEV) and IZDOB, the audience in Elhamra Hall, the orchestra members and the selection committee of the contest will determine the winner and the runner-up. - more...

27-Aug-2012: 60 Years On: bridging past, present and future - EFA releases Jubilee publication and film

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the European Festivals Association (EFA) the festival network released its Jubilee publication and first film entitled “60 Years On: Festivals and the World”. - more...

31-Jul-2012: Interview Silvia Fehrmann: "Creating access to contemporary art"

In the months to come, the blog of the European Festivals Association (EFA) "Festival Bytes" will feature a series of interviews with experts in the field of digital communication in festivals. To kick off the series, Berlin based Communication and Marketing Specialist Kerstin Schilling spoke to Silvia Fehrmann, Head of Communication at Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin, Germany. The Haus der Kulturen der Welt is a place for international contemporary arts and a forum for current developments and discourse. - more...

27-Jul-2012: Members celebrate EFA's Diamond Jubilee: a series of concerts coming up all over Europe

In July and August, the Mosel Musikfestival, the Flanders Festival Bruges, the Ohrid Summer Festival, the Festival Internacional de Música Castell de Peralada and the Santander International Festival are dedicating concerts to the Diamond Jubilee of the European Festivals Association (EFA). The events are continuing a series of activities of the Association’s members to bring the anniversary to festival audiences around Europe and beyond. - more...

18-Jun-2012: EFA President Darko Brlek looks at EFA 60 Years On

At the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the European Festivals Association (EFA) in 2012, EFA President Darko Brlek reminds of the achievements of festivals and the Association in the past 60 years and urges the need to join forces with partners from all over the world. - more...

15-Jun-2012: EFA Jubilee across the world: a weekend of celebration coming up

On 16 and 17 June 2012, the Diamond Jubilee of the European Festivals Association (EFA) is celebrated with three events in Bulgaria, Germany and Mexico. The Varna Summer International Music Festival and the Rheingau Musik Festival are dedicating their opening concerts to "EFA 60 Years On"; and Ennio Morricone’s "Notturno Passacaglia", composed at the occasion of the anniversary, is being performed in Mexico City. - more...

14-Jun-2012: Vilnius Festival celebrates EFA's Diamond Jubilee: from modern dance performance to world premiere

Founded in 1997 by Lithuania’s largest concert organisation – the National Philharmonic Society – the Vilnius Festival has become one of the country’s most significant music events. Each year the festival presents programmes of large-scale orchestral and chamber works interpreted by accomplished Lithuanian and foreign performers, as well as premieres by contemporary Lithuanian composers, along with the works commissioned by the festival. It has continued to collaborate with other European festivals as member of the European Festivals Association (EFA) since 1999. The 2012 edition of the Vilnius Festival paid tribute to the 60th anniversary of EFA, with a world premier dedicated to the Diamond Jubilee. - more...

11-Jun-2012: Positive Impulses: Arts Management Network publishes article on EFA Jubilee

“In times of crisis, is the art sector the last paradise?” asks Dirk Heinze, Editor-in-Chief of the Arts Management Network: “Yes and no. Yes, because the arts and creative sector is a value on its own, and a driving force for the growth of regions and countries. No, because many cultural institutions come under economic pressure so far.” The latest edition of the network’s magazine explores “Positive Impulses” for the future and includes an exclusive report by Kathrin Deventer, Secretary General of the European Festivals Association (EFA), and Kerstin Schilling, Cultural Manager, on EFA’s recent 60th anniversary celebrations in Bergen. - more...

05-Jun-2012: Atelier LJUBLJANA 2012: great response after first Alumni meeting, deadline extended

Following four editions of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers – Görlitz/Germany (2006), Varna/Bulgaria (2009), Singapore (2011) and Izmir, Turkey (2011) – 20 Alumni gathered for the first time from 23-25 May in Bergen, at the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of the European Festivals Association (EFA). Together with presenters such as Bernard Faivre d’Arcier, Steve Austen, Hugo De Greef and Ching-Lee Goh, they discussed the personal and professional impacts of the Atelier as well as its future and their involvement in it. Due to the high interest of managers in the past few days and the great response following the exchanges with 180 Jubilee Gala participants, including delegates of sister festival networks from Asia, Africa and the Arab region, EFA extends the deadline of application for the fifth edition in Ljubljana (14-21 October 2012) until 30 June 2012. - more...

01-Jun-2012: FestFlash "EFA 60 Years On": Celebration and Debate in Bergen

The European Festivals Association (EFA) celebrated its 60th anniversary with its Jubilee Gala from 23-25 May 2012 in Bergen, Norway. Thanks to all participants who made their way to Bergen to celebrate with us and to discuss the issues at stake in the festival business; thanks to all speakers, presenters and contributors to the conference who shared their expertise and who stimulated critical discussions; thanks also to the alumni of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers who demonstrated the future of festivals – thanks to the contribution of all participants, the Jubilee’s ambition to define the ‘Bergen Agenda’ for the years to come was reached. - more...

31-May-2012: "60 Years On": EFA releases Jubilee publication and film

31-May-2012: European Festivals Association sets the Bergen Agenda

[PRESS RELEASE, Brussels, 31 May 2012] The European Festivals Association (EFA) celebrated its 60th anniversary with a Jubilee Gala from 23-25 May 2012 in Bergen, Norway. Debate was shaped by 180 participants from 46 countries and regions in the world, by delegates from sister festival networks from Africa, Asia and the Arab region, by Alumni of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers, and by politicians of EU, national and local levels. Topics such as innovation, business and audience participation in digital times are feeding into the Bergen Agenda which is to characterise EFA's work in the years to come. Furthermore, the Association released its Jubilee publication and first film entitled "60 Years On: Festivals and the World" and admitted five new members. The gathering saw many festive highlights including an artistic closing moment with Carte Blanche. - more...

21-May-2012: FestFlash "EFA 60 Years On": EFA Jubilee programme highlights at a glance

In two days, the EFA Jubilee "60 Years On: Festivals and the World" takes place in Bergen, Norway: the European Festivals Association (EFA) is looking forward to meeting 180 representatives of festivals, sister festival associations, cultural networks, policy and media from 46 countries to celebrate together the Diamond Jubilee. - more...

18-May-2012: FestFlash "EFA 60 Years On": When past and future meet

Only a few days left until the European Festivals Association (EFA) celebrates its Diamond Jubilee in Bergen, Norway. The third edition of the FestFlash of the European Festivals Association includes the latest news. - more...

18-May-2012: 60 Years On: The European Festivals Association celebrates its Diamond Jubilee in Bergen

From 23-25 May 2012, the European Festivals Association (EFA) celebrates the 60th anniversary of its foundation in Bergen, Norway. Embracing the motto "60 Years On: Festivals and the World", 180 representatives of festivals, sister festival associations, cultural networks, policy and media from 46 countries and regions of the world will participate to celebrate, commemorate and in particular reflect on the present and future of arts festivals. On the agenda: the setting of the 'Bergen Agenda', discussion of festival policies ("Europe for Festivals - Festivals for Europe"), exchanges with alumni of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers, release of a Jubilee publication and film - all embedded in an exciting artistic programme of the Bergen International Festival, co-organising the event and itself celebrating its Diamond Jubilee in 2012. - more...

16-May-2012: euro|topics becomes media partner of the EFA Jubilee

The European Festivals Association (EFA) and euro|topics, the online platform providing a daily, up to date press review, have engaged in a media partnership. To promote trans-European discussion and to create new networks for cultural and political exchange is a joint mission of EFA and euro|topics. The partnership is an important step in EFA's quest to form a coalition of organisations dedicated to the process of transformation in Europe, one of the key aims of the so-called 'Bergen Agenda' to be set at the occasion of the Association's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 celebrated from 23-25 May in Bergen, Norway. - more...

08-May-2012: EFA 60 Years On: The Bergen Agenda - Join the Coalition

The EFA Jubilee in Bergen will be the moment of dedicated discussions under the motto "Celebrate the Arts, Transform People, Imagine the World". The aim is to set the so called 'Bergen Agenda', laying down a work plan for the European Festivals Association and festival colleagues for the years to come. Together with the members of the "EFA 60 Years On" Strategy Group - Simon Mundy, Valeria Marcolin and Nadin Deventer -, EFA identified three key topics at stake in the festival business: innovation, culture and business as well as audience participation/citizenship - which are discussed in various sessions. - more...

06-May-2012: First ever Atelier Alumni meeting to take place in Bergen

For the first time in the history of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers, previous Atelier participants will gather for an Alumni meeting at the occasion of the EFA Jubilee in Bergen. On 25 May, they will discuss the Bergen Agenda, challenges and opportunities for the next generation of festival leaders, and exchange on joint projects realised since their participation. - more...

07-May-2012: EFA Jubilee receives high political attention

In the run-up of the EFA Jubilee, political decision-makers express their recognition of EFA's Jubilee activities including the development of the Bergen Agenda. The Jubilee in Bergen (23-25 May) will see high-level policy representatives of EU, national and regional levels participating. Amongst others, EU Commissioner for Culture Androulla Vassiliou congratulates the European Festivals Association on its "remarkable efforts in putting festivals and culture in the spotlight across Europe" and adds that "the collaboration between EFA and the European Commission has never been more active". - more...

EFA

European Festivals Association