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“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
News & Media
This news section is the place to find the latest news and press releases both from EFA and its members. Remember to come back frequently to find the updates here!
EFA to participate in first FestArab Forum in Baghdad
17 May 2013
From 18-20 June 2013 in Baghdad, Iraq, FestArab is organising a Forum entitled “Cultural events as a tool for dialogue, social integration and economic growth”. A selected group of students from the fields of culture, education and tourism will have the opportunity to exchange their experience under the guidance of high-qualified professionals from the cultural sector. The Forum is aimed especially at cultural actors in Iraq as well as all other actors interested in broadening their horizons through dialogue and debate. The European Festivals Association will be represented by its President Darko Brlek (Festival Ljubljana) and its member Jurriaan Cooiman (Culturescapes, swissfestivals). - more...
Art, Space & Audience: 2013 Reykjavik Arts Festival kicks off on 17 May
16 May 2013
Launching the 2013 Reykjavík Arts Festival programme (17 May-2 June), Hanna Styrmisdóttir, Artistic Director, said: “The focus of the 27th Reykjavík Arts Festival (RAF) is on the creative space where the arts intersect, on the creation of new works and the reinterpretation of older works; on innovation, and also on history as a source of inspiration. The great diversity that has been a major strength of the RAF shows up this season in the extraordinary number of artists, both Icelandic and international, who are participating or whose works are being shown, and in this Festival’s focus on the richly varied audience experience. As a temporary platform, the Reykjavík Arts Festival is inherently experimental. It thereby provides an opportunity for non-traditional approaches to the basic function of art institutions, that of bringing together art, space and the audience. - more...
First edition of Festival Readings to take place in Sibiu from 11-13 June 2013
13 May 2013
The first edition of the European Festivals Association’s new training programme Festival Readings will take place from 11 to 13 June 2013 in Sibiu, Romania during the Sibiu Performing Arts Open Market and as part of the Sibiu International Theatre Festival. The Festival Readings are part of The Festival Academy which was launched by EFA in April 2013. The three-day unique training programme consists of public lectures and introduces its participants to artistic festival management and to the essence of festivals: their artistic meaning for artists, their innovative nature and the unique experience they allow their audiences. - more...
Malta Arts Festival 2013: varied programme of theatre, music, dance and visual arts
07 May 2013
There’s the passion of flamenco, a cutting edge visual arts exhibition, Shakespeare’s Globe, harrowingly intimate dance-theatre, bracing brassy music and orchestral concerts and even a performer-based circus show… The 15-day-long Malta Arts Festival (30 June-14 July) is approaching – and this year promises to be more intriguing than ever. - more...
Ankara International Music Festival concluded with premier of Mahler’s “Symphony of a Thousand”
06 May 2013
On 30 April 2013, the 30th Ankara International Music Festival, organised at Turkey’s capital, concluded with a spectacular finale with an international mix of musicians and vocalists performing Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 in E-flat major, which is often called the “Symphony of a Thousand” because of the large instrumental and vocal forces required. The Ankara premiere has been the second performance of the piece in Turkey. - more...
New on Festival Bytes: Visiting Ankara – the capital of Turkey
03 May 2013
I have never been to Ankara – the capital of Turkey. This is probably true for many who travelled to Turkey several times to spend some holiday at the Aegais or the Riveira, or to dive into the rich cultural life of Istanbul. Ankara does not figure as the first destination. Ankara is the capital, and I imagined something like Canberra in Australia: a city which has been designated capital because of certain reasons; but not because it represents the social, economic, cultural centre of the country. But I was wrong. - more...
Tbilisi International Festival of Theatre announces Georgian Theatre Showcase 2013
02 May 2013
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From 5-8 October 2013, the Tbilisi International Festival of Theatre will present the best of Georgian theatre with its Georgian Showcase Programme for the fifth time. During the four days, the festival invites to see the most interesting and challenging works of established and famous stage directors as well as works of young and bright talents. - more...
Cultural Coalition for a Citizens' Europe welcomes the EU’s New Narratives for Europe project
30 April 2013
The Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe announces its participation in the New Narratives for Europe project initiated by the European Union and launched at the Center for Fine Arts (BOZAR) in Brussels on 23 April 2013. The Cultural Coalition, initiated by “A Soul for Europe,” supports the project which looks to find new visions for Europe’s future through its vast network of partner organisations such as the European House for Culture, and the European Festivals Association (EFA). The Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe will offer the New Narratives for Europe project the ideas and visions that are gathered through partners’ interactions, discussions, and debates with citizens across Europe. - more...
ISPA Academy to take place on 17/18 June in Wroclaw
29 April 2013
The 2013 ISPA June Congress entitled “The Next Chapter” will take place in Wrocław, Poland on 17-22 June 2013. The ISPA Academy (17-18 June), an intensive two day arts administration programme at the Wrocław 2013 ISPA Congress, will focus on the predominant challenges facing arts professionals in the surrounding region. Through seminars and collaborative discussions, accomplished and innovative leaders in the performing arts will share their knowledge and insights. Congress delegates registered for a Full Pass may attend the ISPA Academy free of charge and all individuals may purchase a registration to the ISPA Academy for 50 USD. - more...
New on Festival Bytes: Through the Gate of Pomegranates (2). Back and again.
26 April 2013
Festival Life 2013. That’s the title of this conference day. Working day, to be precise. Visiting Granada is of course fun, but all participants came with a mission and everybody knows that a vibrant cultural and festival life is only there thanks to the blood, sweat and tears of those who carry the “holy festival flame”. - more...
New on Festival Bytes: Through the Gate of Pomegranates
25 April 2013
(By Jelle Dierickx) A freshly mowed lawn. That’s what Granada smells like once the door of the airplane is opened. The two-day experience of the senses can begin. Before having a short night rest I meet Eva, Kathrin, Nathalie and Jacqueline at the entrance of the hotel. The team is well prepared for the storm tomorrow, and Eva immediately asks some deep questions about a possible future for Europe. Yes, this is clearly an EFA meeting. Not one second is wasted. - more...
European Festivals Association launches ‘The Festival Academy’
25 April 2013
[Press Release Brussels, Belgium, 25 April 2013] On 18 April 2013, the European Festivals Association (EFA) launched The Festival Academy during its 2013 General Assembly in Granada, Spain. “The true role of a festival is to help artists to dare, to engage in new projects” is a statement by Bernard Faivre d’Arcier (former Director Avignon Festival) that serves as the motto of The Festival Academy. It offers various training formats for festival management to young, dynamic and passionate festival makers worldwide. Its mission is to share, exchange and construct know-how on festival management focusing on the essence of festivals – the art and the artist – and touching upon all artistic disciplines. The Festival Academy is ambitious to develop and sustain a network of festival leaders of the future. - more...
Atelier BEIRUT 2013: one week left to apply, new mentors revealed
24 April 2013
The sixth Atelier for Young Festival Managers, will take place from 5 to 12 October 2013 in Beirut, Lebanon, in collaboration with the Beiteddine Art Festival. Three new mentors have confirmed their participation: Robyn Archer, Rania Elias, and His Excellency Mohammed Kabbaj will join Hugo De Greef, Bernard Faivre d’Arcier, Rose Fenton, Nele Hertling, and Jonathan Mills to guide 45 participants during the 7-day intense training programme, initiated by the European Festivals Association (EFA). Emerging artistic festival directors worldwide are invited to apply until 1 May 2013. - more...
2013 EFA General Assembly: new members, Darko Brlek re-elected President
23 April 2013
[PRESS RELEASE, Brussels, Belgium, 23 April 2013] The 2013 General Assembly & Conference of the European Festivals Association (EFA) took place from 18-21 April in Granada, Spain, and was hosted by the Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada. It was the opportunity for 145 delegates representing 66 festivals from 35 countries to meet peer colleagues, to exchange on what is at stake in the world of festivals all over Europe and beyond, to identify festivals’ contributions to today’s world, and to have an inspiring time. One of the main outcomes: the Association representing 109 festivals from 44 countries re-elected its current President Darko Brlek. - more...
Fergus Linehan appointed new Director of Edinburgh International Festival as of October 2014
22 April 2013
Today the Festival Council announced the appointment of Fergus Linehan as the Director Designate of the Edinburgh International Festival. The post begins on a part time basis on 1 May 2013 to allow time to plan for his first Festival in 2015. Fergus Linehan will become Festival Director and Chief Executive of the Festival full time from 1 October 2014. - more...
Serving Artists Serves the Public: E-publication launched by ASEF and EFA
18 April 2013
[PRESS RELEASE Granada, Spain; 18 April 2013] The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and the European Festivals Association (EFA) launch a new e-publication entitled “Serving Artists Serves the Public”. The book talks about the opportunities and challenges of programming arts festivals in Asia and Europe. The launch takes place at EFA’s General Assembly and Conference on 18-21 April 2013 in Granada, Spain. - more...
New on Festival Bytes: Concrete & Conflict: Re-imagining Place through a City of Culture
17 April 2013
In his first blog post entitled “Concrete & Conflict” blogger Jonathan May explores Derry-Londonderry as an example of re-imagining place through a City of Culture. Jonathan May is Digital Producer LIFT, the London International Festival of Theatre. He participated in EFA’s Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Ljubljana in October 2012. Read an excerpt of his article here below; the full article is available on Festival Bytes. - more...
2013 EFA General Assembly to welcome 145 delegates from 35 countries representing 62 festivals
16 April 2013
The 2013 General Assembly & Conference of the European Festivals Association takes place from 18-21 April in Granada, Spain. It is hosted by the Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada. “It is the opportunity for 145 delegates from 35 countries representing 62 festivals to meet peer colleagues, to exchange on what is at stake in the world of festivals all over Europe and beyond, to identify festivals’ contributions to today’s world, and to have an inspiring time,” says EFA President Darko Brlek. - more...
Conductor Premil Petrovic awarded City of Belgrade Prize
12 April 2013
Conductor Premil Petrovic has been awarded the City of Belgrade Prize for the best music performance in 2012, i.e. for his concert with the No Borders Orchestra at the Opening of the 44th Belgrade Music Festival BEMUS. The concert was produced by Jugokoncert. The prize shall be presented to Premil on 16 October at the Belgrade City Hall. - more...
14th Yerevan Perspectives International Music Festival to kick off tonight
11 April 2013
The Yerevan Perspectives International Music Festival will launch its 14th edition with a concert of the legendary Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra on 11 April in Yerevan at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall. This truly historical concert will be conducted by famous American conductor, 11 rimes Grammy awards winner Michael Tilson Thomas; soloist of the festive evening is greatest virtuoso pianist Yefim Bronfman. - more...
New on Festival Bytes: Technology creates emotion
10 April 2013
Lille Lungegårdsvannet is simply the most visible spot in Bergen. This octagonal water right in the city of Bergen is 700 meters in circumference, and is not an artificial lake. It will be under greater focus in the evening of 22 May, as the 2013 Bergen International Festival officially opens outdoors with an especially composed electronic concert called Murmuration. It is set within an ever-changing multimedia-light-sculpture using latest high-end-technology in the form of 35 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), LED-architecture and artful light design. Guest blogger Hjørdis Losnedahl, Communications Coordinator at the Bergen International Festival, gives some more insight into the mutlimedia production. - more...
2013 ISPA June Congress to take place in Wroclaw from 17-22 June
09 April 2013
The Witold Lutosławski Philharmonic in Wrocław, founder of the International Festival Wratislavia Cantans, will manage the 27th June ISPA Congress of the International Society for the Performing Arts taking place in Wrocław, Poland from 17-22 June 2013. Register now as the early bird registration deadline ends on 12 April. - more...
New on Festival Bytes: Lingering limbo: the festival scene in Belgrade
05 April 2013
In her first blog post on Festival Bytes, Inge Ceustermans, Manager of EFA’s Atelier for Young Festival Managers, shares her impressions of the Belgrade festival scene after a visit of the city in March. Her blog post was inspired by the question “What would you do if I told you that you have zero Euro for your festival?” of Katarina Zivanovic, City of Belgrade Secretary for Culture, addressing an international audience at the opening of the European Festivals Association’s (EFA) meeting of its 2013 Collective and Affiliate Members at the City Hall in Belgrade. - more...
Atelier for Young Festival Managers BEIRUT 2013: EFA extends application deadline until 1 May 2013
04 April 2013
In response to numerous requests, the European Festivals Association (EFA) extends the deadline for application of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers BEIRUT 2013 until 1 May 2013. Thus, EFA gives the opportunity to more emerging artistic directors and curators worldwide to apply to this unique 7-day training programme. Furthermore, EFA is delighted about the broad international partnership with institutes in the region and worldwide, which have confirmed their support. This sixth edition of the Atelier, BEIRUT 2013, organised by EFA and the Beiteddine Art Festival is the first Atelier in the Arab world and takes place from 5-12 October 2013 in Beirut, Lebanon. - more...
New on Festival Bytes: co-creating a musical portrait of Edinburgh
03 April 2013
In her latest blog post on Festival Bytes, the blog of the European Festivals Association (EFA), Jackie Westbrook, Marketing and Communications Director of the Edinburgh International Festival, introduces a new project launched in the run-up to this year’s festival edition: Edinburgh residents, visitors, and fans and performers at Edinburgh International Festival are being called on to send in sound files which capture their memories of Edinburgh, and its transformation into the Festival City each August. - more...
New on Festival Bytes: What does an image sound like?
27 March 2013
[By Nina Calopek, Music Biennale Zagreb] On Friday, 5 April 2013, at 8 pm, one day before the music opening of the Music Biennale Zagreb (MBZ), the opening of Ivan Marušić Klif's exhibition at the Student Centre Gallery will take place. I.M. Klif is one of the most recognisable and most interesting names of the Croatian new media art scene. His continuous artistic work on the "borders of genres", his questioning of possibilities offered by media, as well as his open approach ensured him a prominent place in contemporary visual arts. He has been dealing for many years now with exploring the relationships between sound and image and their manipulation. - more...
Music Biennale Zagreb to transform Zagreb into a centre of New Music
26 March 2013
Every April of odd number years, ever since 1961, Zagreb is transformed into a centre of the latest in contemporary, alternative, cutting edge culture and art, into a centre of New Music, which is gravitated by composers and top performers, but also music critics and fans of contemporary music from wider region and entire Europe. This is when the Music Biennale Zagreb (MBZ) is taking place. The 2013 edition runs from 6 until 13 April. - more...
Bridging the gap from education and training to employment: European Music Council to host Youth Day
25 March 2013
On 18 April 2013 in Glasgow, UK, the European Music Council will be hosting a Youth Day ahead of the European Forum on Music (18-21 April 2013). The theme of this event will be: “Bridging the gap from education and training to employment” and the event is open to young people under the age of 30 working in all aspects of European music life from administration through to project management and performing. In particular, EMC members are encouraged to send young representatives under the age of 30 to take part in this as well as in the Forum itself. - more...
EFA’s 2013 CAMM in Belgrade: fruitful exchanges, new collaborations, a lot of inspiration
22 March 2013
The 2013 Collective and Affiliate Members’ Meeting (CAMM) of the European Festivals Association (EFA) took place from 15-18 March 2013 in Belgrade/Serbia and was hosted by the Serbian Festivals Association (SEFA). It is the key gathering for EFA’s 16 national festival associations and European cultural networks – representing altogether more than 2000 festivals and events organisations all over Europe. The EFA delegation met some 30 representatives from the region – SEFA members and partners, all key actors in the cultural sector of Balkan countries including Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Montenegro. It was also the occasion for the EFA Board to hold its first meeting in 2013. The gathering resulted in new collaboration opportunities, synergies for future joint projects have been identified, and all participants left with fresh ideas. The 3-day programme also offered a rich insight into the artistic and cultural life of Belgrade. - more...
European Theatre Convention marks 25 years at General Assembly in Tirana, Albania
21 March 2013
Members of the European Theatre Convention (ETC), Europe’s leading network of public theatres, will meet in Tirana, Albania, from 21 – 24 March 2013 for their first General Assembly of the year. Hosted by the National Theatre of Albania, this spring meeting is particularly notable as it is the first gathering of ETC members in the year the organisation celebrates its 25th anniversary. To mark this momentous occasion guests from other leading European performing arts networks have been invited to participate in discussions around the conference theme, which is ‘European Theatre – A Chance to be Different!’ - more...
