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Es ist die vornehmste Aufgabe von zeitgenössischen Festivals, sich um die Gegenwart zu kümmern.
Joachim Sartorius, Director Berliner Festspiele
EFA News
23-Nov-2011: EFA presents "Europe for Festivals – Festivals for Europe" at European Parliament’s CULT Committee
On 22 November 2011, the European Festivals Association (EFA) presented a proposal for a continued focus for festivals “Europe for Festivals – Festivals for Europe” to the Members of the European Parliament at the Committee on Culture and Education. The proposal foresees the publication of a Festival Guide, an EU Award ‘Festivals for Europe’ and a Festival Label. Its aim is to add value to the festival scene and to allow the European project to benefit from the dynamics of festivals at the same time. “Under the current EU Programme, 700 festivals apply, and only around 30 get a grant. This is discouraging, and needs to be changed,” urges EFA Secretary General Kathrin Deventer. - more...
15-Nov-2011: Atelier IZMIR 2011: Connecting international festival leaders, paving the way for future Ateliers
The fourth edition of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers took place in Izmir (Turkey) from 24 to 31 October 2011. 38 participants from 27 countries and eight renowned festival managers met, exchanged and established sustainable ties for the future. “The Atelier has an ever-growing network of ’alumni’: after four editions, 141 young festival managers and 28 presenters from all over the world have participated in this training programme on artistic festival management initiated by the European Festivals Association (EFA),” underlined EFA President Mr. Darko Brlek at the Opening Ceremony. IZMIR 2011 confirmed the standard of excellence set in the previous editions, paving the way for the next Atelier, to take place in October 2012. - more...
31-Oct-2011: Atelier News #7: End of the week, new beginning!
Sunday, 30 October 2011, draw the Atelier for Young Festival Managers IZMIR 2011 to a close. After a morning of exploring the city of İzmir, the participants gathered in the meeting room of the İKSEV for one last afternoon of work. - more...
29-Oct-2011: Atelier News #5: Journey through the festivals of the world
On Friday, 28 October 2011, the Atelier for Young Festival Managers was back to İKSEV’s offices for a new day of work, presentations, debates and networking. The day was launched with a presentation by Ching-Lee Goh on the festivals in the world and the world of festivals, the different contexts and challenges they are facing. - more...
30-Oct-2011: Atelier News #6: To the roots of civilizations
On Saturday, 29 October, the Atelier for Young Festival Managers investigated further the challenges of being an artistic director, before visiting the Ancient City of Ephesus, a cradle of civilizations. - more...
28-Oct-2011: Rose Fenton introduces the Atelier: “much more than a 7-day training programme”
On 24 October 2011, Rose Fenton, Director of Free Word (London, UK), introduced participants to the objective and vision of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers IZMIR 2011 on behalf of all mentors and presenters. Furthermore, she asked: “Are our festivals fit for purpose? What does a Festival of the future look like?” - more...
28-Oct-2011: Atelier News #4: Discussing co-productions and meeting the artist
On Thursday, 27 October, the Atelier for Young Festival Managers took place at the Izmir’s brand-new MÜZIKSEV, Turkey’s first music museum. The working day was kicked-off with an in-depth question and answer session between the participants, Fruzsina Szép and Michał Merzcyński. Both share their experience and additionally informed participants about related publications and networks. - more...
27-Oct-2011: Atelier News #3: Experienced festival directors disclose their strategies and driving forces
Wednesday, October 26, Izmir. Views of the enormous container ships passing through Izmir, presentations underlined by the sound of the muezzins calling believers to prayer and delicious local food for breakfast, lunch, coffee break and dinner – the running edition of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers is truly taking place in Izmir and in Turkey. - more...
26-Oct-2011: Atelier News #2: Second Atelier day sparking many “aha moments”
Tuesday, 25 October, was the first full “working” day of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Izmir and it was an intense and typical Atelier-day. The participants are still learning each other’s names – and learning how to pronounce all of these names from different continents and cultures. The first name-learning moment was the object session: participants introduced themselves with objects they had brought from their home countries, festivals or their personal life. - more...
25-Oct-2011: Robyn Archer at Atelier IZMIR 2011: “Let’s make sure we serve artists, in their own right”
During the Opening Ceremony of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers IZMIR 2011 on 24 October 2011, Robyn Archer, Creative Director of The Centenary of Canberra (2013) and Artistic Director of The Light in Winter, Melbourne (Australia), delivered once again an inspiring speech. Exploring the duality of festivals, she set the spirit for a week full of exchanges on the future of festivals. - more...
25-Oct-2011: Atelier News #1: Inspiring start for the 4th Atelier for Young Festival Managers
On Monday, 24 October 2011 in Izmir, the opening ceremony of the 4th edition of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers was held in the brand new Music Museum created by the Atelier host, the Izmir Foundation for Culture, Arts and Education (İKSEV), in the presence of the Vice-governor of Izmir, Mr Nevzat Ergün, and former State Minister for Culture, Mr Işılay Saygın. - more...
24-Oct-2011: Atelier for Young Festival Managers IZMIR 2011 starts today: Follow online!
The Atelier IZMIR 2011 is running from 24 to 31 October 2011 in Izmir (Turkey)! Starting today with an inspiring opening session, the fourth Atelier is set to be a great success. Follow the EFA channels in the next days: stay up-to-date and participate online! - more...
20-Oct-2011: Public invited to Opening of Atelier IZMIR 2011 with Robyn Archer
The Atelier for Young Festival Managers IZMIR 2011 (24-31 October) is set to be a great success. The European Festivals Association (EFA) and this edition’s host, the İzmir Foundation for Culture Arts and Education (İKSEV), warmly invite the press and the public to the Opening Ceremony of the Atelier with Robyn Archer, Creative Director of The Centenary of Canberra (2013) and Artistic Director of The Light in Winter, Melbourne (Australia).It takes place on Monday, 24 October 2011 at the new Music Instruments Museum of Izmir (MÜSİKSEV) at 5:30pm (registration at info (at) iksev.org). - more...
19-Oct-2011: The Presenters of the Atelier IZMIR 2011: Fruzsina Szép
Fruzsina Szép is the Programme Director of the Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary. She is joining the team of presenters of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers for the first time in IZMIR 2011!
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19-Oct-2011: Outstanding programme for the Atelier IZMIR 2011, Opening ceremony with Robyn Archer
The Atelier for Young Festival Managers İZMIR 2011, taking place from 24 to 31 October 2011, will be opened with a keynote speech by the internationally renowned Australian festival director Robyn Archer. In the 7-days Atelier organised by the European Festivals Association (EFA), in cooperation with and hosted by the İzmir Foundation for Culture Arts and Education (İKSEV), the founders and managers of exceptional festivals from all over the world will transfer their experiences to 38 young festival managers from 26 countries. - more...
17-Oct-2011: The Presenters of the Atelier IZMIR 2011: Jonathan Mills
Jonathan Mills is the Festival Director and Chief Executive of the Edinburgh International Festival in Edinburgh (UK). He joined the team of presenters of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Varna (2009), and now, for the second time, in Izmir. - more...
12-Oct-2011: First Nordic Baltic Festival conference great success; EFA supports conclusions
The first "Nordic-Baltic Festival Meeting" took place from 5-7 October in Reykjavik/Iceland at Harpa, Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre. 45 delegates from ten Nordic and Baltic countries hosting more than 900 festivals agreed on conclusions underlining the important role of festivals in societal developments and released a statement of support for the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra. The European Festivals Association (EFA) strongly supports these moves. - more...
07-Oct-2011: Atelier Legacy: former Atelier participants engage in collaboration
Nadin Deventer and Piotr Turkiewicz attended the Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Varna, Bulgaria (2009). Since then, they have worked closely together, for example in a partnership within the pan-European network jazzplayseurope. The next project is a unique cooperation between their organisations, the Polish Festival Jazztopad and the German jazzwerkruhr: the 24-hour-run takes place on 26/27 November 2011 in Wroclaw/Poland. - more...
06-Oct-2011: The Presenters of the Atelier IZMIR 2011: Michał Merczyński
Michał Merczyński is the director of the National Audiovisual Institute (NInA) in Warsaw. He is joining the team of presenters of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers for the first time in IZMIR 2011. - more...
04-Oct-2011: The Presenters of the Atelier IZMIR 2011: Nele Hertling
Nele Hertling joined the team of mentors of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers from the very first edition in Görlitz (2006). She also took part in Varna (2009), Singapore (2011) and will again participate now, in the fourth Atelier, in Izmir. She also contributed to EFA BOOKS 3 – “Cahier de l’Atelier. Arts festivals for the sake of art?”, a reference book about arts festivals, in which renowned festival directors evoke their experiences and the challenge of creating arts festivals that enrich artistic expression. - more...
29-Sep-2011: The Presenters of the Atelier IZMIR 2011: Ching-Lee Goh
Ching-Lee Goh is the Executive and Artistic Director of CultureLink Singapore. She joined the team of mentors of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers in SINGAPORE 2011 and now for the second time, in Izmir. - more...
27-Sep-2011: The Presenters of the Atelier IZMIR 2011: Rose Fenton
Rose Fenton, an independent Arts Producer and Advisor, is one of the most adventurous and influential producers of international contemporary theatre in Europe. She joined the team of presenters of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Varna (2009), Singapore (2011) and now, for the third time, in Izmir. She also contributed to EFA BOOKS 3 – “Cahier de l’Atelier. Arts festivals for the sake of art?”, a reference book about arts festivals, in which renowned festival directors evoke their experiences and the challenge of creating arts festivals that enrich artistic expression. - more...
26-Sep-2011: The Presenters of the Atelier IZMIR 2011: Hugo De Greef
The Atelier for Young Festival Managers was launched by the European Festivals Association (EFA) in 2006, when Hugo De Greef was the Association’s Secretary General (from 2004 to 2008). Today, he is the General Coordinator of the Atelier. - more...
20-Sep-2011: The Presenters of the Atelier IZMIR 2011: Robyn Archer
The European Festivals Association is proud to have eight renowned festival managers from all over the world on board for IZMIR 2011. Under the coordination of Hugo De Greef (Belgium) they will guide the participants throughout the seven days of the Atelier. In the run-up of the Atelier we will tell you more about: Robyn Archer (Australia), Rose Fenton (United Kingdom), Ching-Lee Goh (Singapore), Nele Hertling (Germany), Michal Merzcyński (Poland), Jonathan Mills (United Kingdom), and Fruzsina Szép (Hungary). The first presenter to be introduced here is Robyn Archer. - more...
16-Sep-2011: EFA and its members in Wroclaw: which role for culture in a Europe of citizens?
From 8-11 September 2011, the European Festivals Association and a number of its members gathered in Wroclaw at the occasion of the European Culture Congress, organised as part of the cultural programme of the Polish EU Council Presidency. Several highlights were on the agenda: “FORUM WROCŁAW”, organised by “A Soul for Europe” with a keynote speech by EFA Secretary General Kathrin Deventer; a “Check Stop meeting” organised by the European House for Culture; and a concert by the International Festival Wratislavia Cantans. - more...
15-Sep-2011: EFA supports Sarajevo as European Capital of Culture in 2014
Following the initiative of Ibrahim Spahic, Director of the International Festival Sarajevo – “Sarajevo Winter”, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on 2 May 2011 calling for Sarajevo to be awarded the title of European Capital of Culture in 2014 in an exceptional procedure. The European Festivals Association (EFA) supports this move and encourages other cultural organisations to do so as well. - more...
09-Sep-2011: Kathrin Deventer to speak at Forum Wroclaw on 10 September, live stream available
“A Soul for Europe” together with Narodowy Instytut Audiowizualny (National Audiovisual Institute, Warsaw) will organise “FORUM WROCŁAW – Culture and Active Citizenship in the Development of Europe”, a one-day-discussion on 10 September 2011 in Wroclaw. Kathrin Deventer, Secretary General of the European Festivals Association (EFA) and Member of the “A Soul for Europe” Strategy Group, will hold the keynote speech in the panel on “European Capital of Culture – A Model for Culture?” The Forum takes place within the framework of the European Culture Congress (8-11 September 2011), as part of the cultural programme of the Polish EU Council Presidency. - more...
30-Aug-2011: Atelier IZMIR 2011 – 42 participants selected, 8 presenters confirmed
The Atelier for Young Festival Managers – initiated by the European Festivals Association (EFA) – will take place in Izmir/Turkey from 24 to 31 October 2011, hosted by the International Izmir Festival. Following its last remarkable edition in Singapore (May 2011), the Atelier IZMIR 2011 will bring together 42 talented young festival managers from 31 countries, eager to learn from the experience of 8 renowned festival directors, artists and cultural managers from all over the world. - more...
29-Aug-2011: Dragan Klaic - In Memoriam
On 25 August 2011, Dragan Klaic, theatre scholar and cultural analyst, extraordinarily talented thinker and writer, left this world. The European Festivals Association extends its deep condolences to his wife Julia and daughter Nora in this time of loss. - more...
26-Aug-2011: Kathrin Deventer explores “Why European citizenship needs a cultural component”
As a member of the A Soul for Europe Strategy Group, EFA Secretary General Kathrin Deventer reflects in an article for the online magazine “The European” why Europe needs its citizens and which role festivals play in this scenario. - more...
08-Jul-2011: Success story Singapore Atelier: inspiring speeches, broad media coverage
The first Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Asia (Singapore, 14-21 May 2011) was a great success with important contributions of 11 mentors and speakers, such as the keynote speech of Robyn Archer (Creative Director The Centenary of Canberra (2013), Artistic Director of The Light in Winter – Australia) at the closing event on 20 May. The success is reflected in the broad media coverage the Atelier SINGAPORE 2011 has received since its official announcement in November 2011. - more...
04-Jul-2011: Towards a cultural Europe: Kathrin Deventer’s contribution to CultureLink’s publication
CultureLink's new publication, released in June 2011, “Networks: The Evolving Aspects of Culture in the 21st Century”, includes an article by Kathrin Deventer, Secretary General of the European Festivals Association (EFA). In this publication, researchers from all continents investigate the role and relevance that cultural networks have in cultural development and communication, and new perspectives of cultural networking in the 21st century. - more...
31-May-2011: Atelier for Young Festival Managers, 1st edition in Asia: taking it to a new level
The Atelier SINGAPORE 2011 – initiated by the European Festivals Association (EFA) – concluded with remarkable and unexpected results.
The 3rd edition of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers took place from 14-21 May 2011 in Singapore. This seven days training programme is unique in the field of festival programming and management. It allowed 34 participants from 20 countries and five continents to meet, exchange, establish sustainable ties for the future, and to benefit from the wealth of experience of some 15 renowned festival directors, artists and cultural managers. Today, the Atelier can look on an ever-growing network of “alumni”: after three editions, 102 young festival managers and 32 presenters from all over the world have participated in the Atelier for Young Festival Managers. - more...
20-May-2011: Atelier closing ceremony "Serving Artists Serves the Public" takes place today in Singapore
On 20 May 2011, the closing ceremony of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers, initiated and organised by the European Festivals Association (EFA), takes place in Singapore. The last session of the one-week intense training course includes a public talk and panel discussion with experienced festival director Robyn Archer and other international high-level festival experts. - more...
15-May-2011: Opening Ceremony of the Atelier paved the way for a week of fruitful exchanges
On Saturday, 14 May 2011, in Singapore, the opening ceremony of the third edition of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers took place. Held for the first time in Asia, the Atelier is jointly organised by the European Festivals Association (EFA), LASALLE College of the Arts Singapore, and the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF). - more...
14-May-2011: Intense working schedule for SINGAPORE 2011 developed by Atelier mentors
“The true role of a festival is to help artists to dare, to engage in new projects” - This striking sentence borrowed from Mr. Bernard Faivre d’Arcier, former director of the Festival d’Avignon, sums up perfectly the spirit of the Atelier also for its first edition in Asia. - more...
13-May-2011: SINGAPORE 2011: renowned festival managers from all over the world share their knowledge
Leading and experienced festival operators, professionals and artists give lectures, lead workshops and take part in round tables and debates – all of them spending some days with the participants of the Atelier for face-to-face contacts and discussions. - more...
11-May-2011: Atelier for Young Festival Managers Singapore set to be great success
Gent, 11 May 2011
The Atelier for Young Festival Managers SINGAPORE 2011 (14-21 May) received an overwhelming response with more than 120 applications from all over the world. The European Festivals Association (EFA) together with its partners selected 45 emerging artistic directors from 27 countries and five continents to take part in the one week intense training programme. Four high-level mentors developed an intense working schedule with the contribution of eight renowned festival managers from all over the world. This combination makes the Atelier one of a kind. The fourth edition is already in preparation: IZMIR 2011 takes place from 24-31 October 2011. - more...
05-May-2011: EFA General Assembly: New Board and members elected; out-of-the-box projects discussed
The European Festivals Association (EFA) held its 59th General Assembly and Conference from 28 April until 1 May 2011 in Varna/Bulgaria. It was hosted by the “Varna Summer” International Music Festival that is celebrating its 85th anniversary in 2011. The annual gathering was the occasion to pave the way for the next years of EFA's work programme: a new Board was elected for the period 2011-2014; six new members were admitted to the Association; and steps for future milestones were set, such as the activities celebrating the Association’s 60th anniversary in 2012. During the platform “Out of the Box” inspiring and innovative projects were presented, aiming at striking cross-border collaboration deals. - more...
27-Apr-2011: 2011 EFA General Assembly and Conference to take place in Varna from 28 April-1 May
The European Festivals Association (EFA) is holding its 2011 General Assembly and Conference from 28 April until 1 May 2011 in Varna/Bulgaria, hosted by the Varna Summer International Music Festival. More than 100 participants will attend the four day annual gathering. - more...
06-Apr-2011: Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Izmir: Application open until end of this week!
The European Festivals Association (EFA) – together with the International Izmir Festival – invites 45 participants from all over the world to take part in the Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Izmir/Turkey from 24 to 31 October 2011. Following an outstanding number of applications for the first Atelier in Asia (14-21 May 2011 in Singapore), EFA is encouraging everybody working or having ambitions to become involved in programming or in programming related departments within a festival to apply until the end of the week. - more...
