PRESS RELEASE; Brussels / Beirut / Edinburgh, 17 January 2013" title=" The European Festivals Association (EFA) will organise two Ateliers for Young Festival Managers in 2013 and 2014. The sixth edition in the Atelier’s history is the first in the Arab world: co-organised and hosted by the Beiteddine Art Festival, it will take place in Beirut (Lebanon) from 5-12 October 2013. The seventh Atelier from 3-10 April 2014 in Edinburgh (UK), the “City of Festivals”, is co-organised and hosted by the Edinburgh International Festival. The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is an intensive 7-day training programme initiated by EFA. It aims at providing 45 young festival managers with solid knowledge and valuable skills in the field of artistic festival management. Applications have to be submitted until 31 March 2013 for the The European Festivals Association (EFA) will organise two Ateliers for Young Festival Managers in 2013 and 2014. The sixth edition in the Atelier’s history is the first in the Arab world: co-organised and hosted by the Beiteddine Art Festival, it will take place in Beirut (Lebanon) from 5-12 October 2013. The seventh Atelier from 3-10 April 2014 in Edinburgh (UK), the “City of Festivals”, is co-organised and hosted by the Edinburgh International Festival. The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is an intensive 7-day training programme initiated by EFA. It aims at providing 45 young festival managers with solid knowledge and valuable skills in the field of artistic festival management. Applications have to be submitted until 31 March 2013 for the Atelier BEIRUT 2013" target="_blank"> The European Festivals Association (EFA) will organise two Ateliers for Young Festival Managers in 2013 and 2014. The sixth edition in the Atelier’s history is the first in the Arab world: co-organised and hosted by the Beiteddine Art Festival, it will take place in Beirut (Lebanon) from 5-12 October 2013. The seventh Atelier from 3-10 April 2014 in Edinburgh (UK), the “City of Festivals”, is co-organised and hosted by the Edinburgh International Festival. The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is an intensive 7-day training programme initiated by EFA. It aims at providing 45 young festival managers with solid knowledge and valuable skills in the field of artistic festival management. Applications have to be submitted until 31 March 2013 for the Atelier BEIRUT 2013 and until 30 June 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/edinburgh/]Atelier EDINBURGH 2014" target="_blank">Atelier BEIRUT 2013" target="_blank"> The European Festivals Association (EFA) will organise two Ateliers for Young Festival Managers in 2013 and 2014. The sixth edition in the Atelier’s history is the first in the Arab world: co-organised and hosted by the Beiteddine Art Festival, it will take place in Beirut (Lebanon) from 5-12 October 2013. The seventh Atelier from 3-10 April 2014 in Edinburgh (UK), the “City of Festivals”, is co-organised and hosted by the Edinburgh International Festival. The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is an intensive 7-day training programme initiated by EFA. It aims at providing 45 young festival managers with solid knowledge and valuable skills in the field of artistic festival management. Applications have to be submitted until 31 March 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/beirut/]Atelier BEIRUT 2013 and until 30 June 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/edinburgh/]Atelier EDINBURGH 2014. The Ateliers follow the guiding motto “The true role of a festival is to help artists to dare, to engage in new projects”, a phrase coined by Bernard Faivre d’Arcier (former Director of the Festival d’Avignon, President of the Lyon Biennial). Under the coordination of Hugo De Greef (former EFA Secretary General, General Manager Bruges European Capital of Culture 2002, Founder and former Director Kaaitheater, Brussels), some ten presenters from all over the world – all renowned, trailblazing festival managers – will share their rich experiences with the participants. After five successful editions (Görlitz, Germany 2006; Varna, Bulgaria 2009; Singapore 2011; Izmir, Turkey 2011; and Ljubljana, Slovenia 2012) 28 presenters have worked with 172 young festival managers from 52 countries and regions. Details and CVs can be found on the Atelier website. This impressive, ever-growing network of Alumni is a key benefit of the participation in EFA’s unique training programme which goes beyond traditional teaching practices. The carefully selected young programmers will widen their horizons and perspectives on festivals and programming practices. They will be able to enlarge and build a sustainable network which proves to be essential on the long-term. “The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is about formulating experiences and passing on knowledge to a next generation of festival makers: knowledge about programming a festival, thematically focusing on the very essence of arts festivals – the art and the artist,” explains EFA President Darko Brlek. Every Atelier is characterised by its hosting city and its festivals. It connects its participants and presenters to the cultural life of the respective city. Both Beirut and Edinburgh were chosen because of their rich cultural landscape providing the ideal setting for the Atelier. Art and culture are omnipresent in Beirut where numerous art galleries and an overwhelming number of cultural events create a unique cultural dynamism. “Beirut, a city at the crossroads between East and West, was reborn 7 times from its ashes. This resilient capital is an Arab metropolis but nonetheless a contemporary European city. The Beiteddine Art Festival is at the heart of this interchange: It was born at times of war, and has grown against all odds into a spectacular cultural hub for the region. It offers a vibrant and unique platform for multicultural exchange and debate,” says Nora Joumblatt, President, Beiteddine Art Festival. Edinburgh, apart from being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, annually hosts 12 major festivals attracting a number of visitors roughly equal to the settled population of the city. Jonathan Mills, Festival Director, Edinburgh International Festival, stresses: “We are very much looking forward to hosting some of the most talented festival managers of the future in Edinburgh in 2014. As one of the world’s leading festival cities and a cultural destination year round, Edinburgh provides the perfect backdrop against which to explore aspects of festival management, potential future challenges and opportunities, and an ideal setting in which to make connections with a range of globally active cultural contributors who will help shape our shared future.” The Calls for Application including the selection criteria, the Application Forms, as well as all information and latest updates about the Atelier can be found at [http://www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu/]www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu. Please contact atelier@efa-aef.eu for further questions. Contact Inge Ceustermans Project Manager Atelier for Young Festival Managers European Festivals Association Kleine Gentstraat 46 B-9051 Gent • Belgium Tel: + 32 9 241 80 80 Fax: + 32 9 241 80 89 inge@efa-aef.eu [http://www.efa-aef.eu/]www.efa-aef.eu" target="_blank">Atelier EDINBURGH 2014" target="_blank">Atelier BEIRUT 2013" target="_blank"> The European Festivals Association (EFA) will organise two Ateliers for Young Festival Managers in 2013 and 2014. The sixth edition in the Atelier’s history is the first in the Arab world: co-organised and hosted by the Beiteddine Art Festival, it will take place in Beirut (Lebanon) from 5-12 October 2013. The seventh Atelier from 3-10 April 2014 in Edinburgh (UK), the “City of Festivals”, is co-organised and hosted by the Edinburgh International Festival. The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is an intensive 7-day training programme initiated by EFA. It aims at providing 45 young festival managers with solid knowledge and valuable skills in the field of artistic festival management. Applications have to be submitted until 31 March 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/beirut/]Atelier BEIRUT 2013 and until 30 June 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/edinburgh/]Atelier EDINBURGH 2014. The Ateliers follow the guiding motto “The true role of a festival is to help artists to dare, to engage in new projects”, a phrase coined by Bernard Faivre d’Arcier (former Director of the Festival d’Avignon, President of the Lyon Biennial). Under the coordination of Hugo De Greef (former EFA Secretary General, General Manager Bruges European Capital of Culture 2002, Founder and former Director Kaaitheater, Brussels), some ten presenters from all over the world – all renowned, trailblazing festival managers – will share their rich experiences with the participants. After five successful editions (Görlitz, Germany 2006; Varna, Bulgaria 2009; Singapore 2011; Izmir, Turkey 2011; and Ljubljana, Slovenia 2012) 28 presenters have worked with 172 young festival managers from 52 countries and regions. Details and CVs can be found on the Atelier website. This impressive, ever-growing network of Alumni is a key benefit of the participation in EFA’s unique training programme which goes beyond traditional teaching practices. The carefully selected young programmers will widen their horizons and perspectives on festivals and programming practices. They will be able to enlarge and build a sustainable network which proves to be essential on the long-term. “The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is about formulating experiences and passing on knowledge to a next generation of festival makers: knowledge about programming a festival, thematically focusing on the very essence of arts festivals – the art and the artist,” explains EFA President Darko Brlek. Every Atelier is characterised by its hosting city and its festivals. It connects its participants and presenters to the cultural life of the respective city. Both Beirut and Edinburgh were chosen because of their rich cultural landscape providing the ideal setting for the Atelier. Art and culture are omnipresent in Beirut where numerous art galleries and an overwhelming number of cultural events create a unique cultural dynamism. “Beirut, a city at the crossroads between East and West, was reborn 7 times from its ashes. This resilient capital is an Arab metropolis but nonetheless a contemporary European city. The Beiteddine Art Festival is at the heart of this interchange: It was born at times of war, and has grown against all odds into a spectacular cultural hub for the region. It offers a vibrant and unique platform for multicultural exchange and debate,” says Nora Joumblatt, President, Beiteddine Art Festival. Edinburgh, apart from being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, annually hosts 12 major festivals attracting a number of visitors roughly equal to the settled population of the city. Jonathan Mills, Festival Director, Edinburgh International Festival, stresses: “We are very much looking forward to hosting some of the most talented festival managers of the future in Edinburgh in 2014. As one of the world’s leading festival cities and a cultural destination year round, Edinburgh provides the perfect backdrop against which to explore aspects of festival management, potential future challenges and opportunities, and an ideal setting in which to make connections with a range of globally active cultural contributors who will help shape our shared future.” The Calls for Application including the selection criteria, the Application Forms, as well as all information and latest updates about the Atelier can be found at [http://www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu/]www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu" target="_blank">Atelier BEIRUT 2013 and until 30 June 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/edinburgh/]Atelier EDINBURGH 2014" target="_blank">Atelier BEIRUT 2013" target="_blank"> The European Festivals Association (EFA) will organise two Ateliers for Young Festival Managers in 2013 and 2014. The sixth edition in the Atelier’s history is the first in the Arab world: co-organised and hosted by the Beiteddine Art Festival, it will take place in Beirut (Lebanon) from 5-12 October 2013. The seventh Atelier from 3-10 April 2014 in Edinburgh (UK), the “City of Festivals”, is co-organised and hosted by the Edinburgh International Festival. The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is an intensive 7-day training programme initiated by EFA. It aims at providing 45 young festival managers with solid knowledge and valuable skills in the field of artistic festival management. Applications have to be submitted until 31 March 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/beirut/]Atelier BEIRUT 2013 and until 30 June 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/edinburgh/]Atelier EDINBURGH 2014. The Ateliers follow the guiding motto “The true role of a festival is to help artists to dare, to engage in new projects”, a phrase coined by Bernard Faivre d’Arcier (former Director of the Festival d’Avignon, President of the Lyon Biennial). Under the coordination of Hugo De Greef (former EFA Secretary General, General Manager Bruges European Capital of Culture 2002, Founder and former Director Kaaitheater, Brussels), some ten presenters from all over the world – all renowned, trailblazing festival managers – will share their rich experiences with the participants. After five successful editions (Görlitz, Germany 2006; Varna, Bulgaria 2009; Singapore 2011; Izmir, Turkey 2011; and Ljubljana, Slovenia 2012) 28 presenters have worked with 172 young festival managers from 52 countries and regions. Details and CVs can be found on the Atelier website. This impressive, ever-growing network of Alumni is a key benefit of the participation in EFA’s unique training programme which goes beyond traditional teaching practices. The carefully selected young programmers will widen their horizons and perspectives on festivals and programming practices. They will be able to enlarge and build a sustainable network which proves to be essential on the long-term. “The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is about formulating experiences and passing on knowledge to a next generation of festival makers: knowledge about programming a festival, thematically focusing on the very essence of arts festivals – the art and the artist,” explains EFA President Darko Brlek. Every Atelier is characterised by its hosting city and its festivals. It connects its participants and presenters to the cultural life of the respective city. Both Beirut and Edinburgh were chosen because of their rich cultural landscape providing the ideal setting for the Atelier. Art and culture are omnipresent in Beirut where numerous art galleries and an overwhelming number of cultural events create a unique cultural dynamism. “Beirut, a city at the crossroads between East and West, was reborn 7 times from its ashes. This resilient capital is an Arab metropolis but nonetheless a contemporary European city. The Beiteddine Art Festival is at the heart of this interchange: It was born at times of war, and has grown against all odds into a spectacular cultural hub for the region. It offers a vibrant and unique platform for multicultural exchange and debate,” says Nora Joumblatt, President, Beiteddine Art Festival. Edinburgh, apart from being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, annually hosts 12 major festivals attracting a number of visitors roughly equal to the settled population of the city. Jonathan Mills, Festival Director, Edinburgh International Festival, stresses: “We are very much looking forward to hosting some of the most talented festival managers of the future in Edinburgh in 2014. As one of the world’s leading festival cities and a cultural destination year round, Edinburgh provides the perfect backdrop against which to explore aspects of festival management, potential future challenges and opportunities, and an ideal setting in which to make connections with a range of globally active cultural contributors who will help shape our shared future.” The Calls for Application including the selection criteria, the Application Forms, as well as all information and latest updates about the Atelier can be found at [http://www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu/]www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu. Please contact atelier@efa-aef.eu for further questions. Contact Inge Ceustermans Project Manager Atelier for Young Festival Managers European Festivals Association Kleine Gentstraat 46 B-9051 Gent • Belgium Tel: + 32 9 241 80 80 Fax: + 32 9 241 80 89 inge@efa-aef.eu [http://www.efa-aef.eu/]www.efa-aef.eu [http://www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu/]www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu" target="_blank">Atelier BEIRUT 2013 and until 30 June 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/edinburgh/]Atelier EDINBURGH 2014. The Ateliers follow the guiding motto “The true role of a festival is to help artists to dare, to engage in new projects”, a phrase coined by Bernard Faivre d’Arcier (former Director of the Festival d’Avignon, President of the Lyon Biennial). Under the coordination of Hugo De Greef (former EFA Secretary General, General Manager Bruges European Capital of Culture 2002, Founder and former Director Kaaitheater, Brussels), some ten presenters from all over the world – all renowned, trailblazing festival managers – will share their rich experiences with the participants. After five successful editions (Görlitz, Germany 2006; Varna, Bulgaria 2009; Singapore 2011; Izmir, Turkey 2011; and Ljubljana, Slovenia 2012) 28 presenters have worked with 172 young festival managers from 52 countries and regions. Details and CVs can be found on the Atelier website. This impressive, ever-growing network of Alumni is a key benefit of the participation in EFA’s unique training programme which goes beyond traditional teaching practices. The carefully selected young programmers will widen their horizons and perspectives on festivals and programming practices. They will be able to enlarge and build a sustainable network which proves to be essential on the long-term. “The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is about formulating experiences and passing on knowledge to a next generation of festival makers: knowledge about programming a festival, thematically focusing on the very essence of arts festivals – the art and the artist,” explains EFA President Darko Brlek. Every Atelier is characterised by its hosting city and its festivals. It connects its participants and presenters to the cultural life of the respective city. Both Beirut and Edinburgh were chosen because of their rich cultural landscape providing the ideal setting for the Atelier. Art and culture are omnipresent in Beirut where numerous art galleries and an overwhelming number of cultural events create a unique cultural dynamism. “Beirut, a city at the crossroads between East and West, was reborn 7 times from its ashes. This resilient capital is an Arab metropolis but nonetheless a contemporary European city. The Beiteddine Art Festival is at the heart of this interchange: It was born at times of war, and has grown against all odds into a spectacular cultural hub for the region. It offers a vibrant and unique platform for multicultural exchange and debate,” says Nora Joumblatt, President, Beiteddine Art Festival. Edinburgh, apart from being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, annually hosts 12 major festivals attracting a number of visitors roughly equal to the settled population of the city. Jonathan Mills, Festival Director, Edinburgh International Festival, stresses: “We are very much looking forward to hosting some of the most talented festival managers of the future in Edinburgh in 2014. As one of the world’s leading festival cities and a cultural destination year round, Edinburgh provides the perfect backdrop against which to explore aspects of festival management, potential future challenges and opportunities, and an ideal setting in which to make connections with a range of globally active cultural contributors who will help shape our shared future.” The Calls for Application including the selection criteria, the Application Forms, as well as all information and latest updates about the Atelier can be found at [http://www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu/]www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu" target="_blank">Atelier BEIRUT 2013 and until 30 June 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/edinburgh/]Atelier EDINBURGH 2014" target="_blank">Atelier BEIRUT 2013" target="_blank"> The European Festivals Association (EFA) will organise two Ateliers for Young Festival Managers in 2013 and 2014. The sixth edition in the Atelier’s history is the first in the Arab world: co-organised and hosted by the Beiteddine Art Festival, it will take place in Beirut (Lebanon) from 5-12 October 2013. The seventh Atelier from 3-10 April 2014 in Edinburgh (UK), the “City of Festivals”, is co-organised and hosted by the Edinburgh International Festival. The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is an intensive 7-day training programme initiated by EFA. It aims at providing 45 young festival managers with solid knowledge and valuable skills in the field of artistic festival management. Applications have to be submitted until 31 March 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/beirut/]Atelier BEIRUT 2013 and until 30 June 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/edinburgh/]Atelier EDINBURGH 2014. The Ateliers follow the guiding motto “The true role of a festival is to help artists to dare, to engage in new projects”, a phrase coined by Bernard Faivre d’Arcier (former Director of the Festival d’Avignon, President of the Lyon Biennial). Under the coordination of Hugo De Greef (former EFA Secretary General, General Manager Bruges European Capital of Culture 2002, Founder and former Director Kaaitheater, Brussels), some ten presenters from all over the world – all renowned, trailblazing festival managers – will share their rich experiences with the participants. After five successful editions (Görlitz, Germany 2006; Varna, Bulgaria 2009; Singapore 2011; Izmir, Turkey 2011; and Ljubljana, Slovenia 2012) 28 presenters have worked with 172 young festival managers from 52 countries and regions. Details and CVs can be found on the Atelier website. This impressive, ever-growing network of Alumni is a key benefit of the participation in EFA’s unique training programme which goes beyond traditional teaching practices. The carefully selected young programmers will widen their horizons and perspectives on festivals and programming practices. They will be able to enlarge and build a sustainable network which proves to be essential on the long-term. “The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is about formulating experiences and passing on knowledge to a next generation of festival makers: knowledge about programming a festival, thematically focusing on the very essence of arts festivals – the art and the artist,” explains EFA President Darko Brlek. Every Atelier is characterised by its hosting city and its festivals. It connects its participants and presenters to the cultural life of the respective city. Both Beirut and Edinburgh were chosen because of their rich cultural landscape providing the ideal setting for the Atelier. Art and culture are omnipresent in Beirut where numerous art galleries and an overwhelming number of cultural events create a unique cultural dynamism. “Beirut, a city at the crossroads between East and West, was reborn 7 times from its ashes. This resilient capital is an Arab metropolis but nonetheless a contemporary European city. The Beiteddine Art Festival is at the heart of this interchange: It was born at times of war, and has grown against all odds into a spectacular cultural hub for the region. It offers a vibrant and unique platform for multicultural exchange and debate,” says Nora Joumblatt, President, Beiteddine Art Festival. Edinburgh, apart from being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, annually hosts 12 major festivals attracting a number of visitors roughly equal to the settled population of the city. Jonathan Mills, Festival Director, Edinburgh International Festival, stresses: “We are very much looking forward to hosting some of the most talented festival managers of the future in Edinburgh in 2014. As one of the world’s leading festival cities and a cultural destination year round, Edinburgh provides the perfect backdrop against which to explore aspects of festival management, potential future challenges and opportunities, and an ideal setting in which to make connections with a range of globally active cultural contributors who will help shape our shared future.” The Calls for Application including the selection criteria, the Application Forms, as well as all information and latest updates about the Atelier can be found at [http://www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu/]www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu. Please contact atelier@efa-aef.eu for further questions. Contact Inge Ceustermans Project Manager Atelier for Young Festival Managers European Festivals Association Kleine Gentstraat 46 B-9051 Gent • Belgium Tel: + 32 9 241 80 80 Fax: + 32 9 241 80 89 inge@efa-aef.eu [http://www.efa-aef.eu/]www.efa-aef.eu" target="_blank">Atelier EDINBURGH 2014" target="_blank">Atelier BEIRUT 2013" target="_blank"> The European Festivals Association (EFA) will organise two Ateliers for Young Festival Managers in 2013 and 2014. The sixth edition in the Atelier’s history is the first in the Arab world: co-organised and hosted by the Beiteddine Art Festival, it will take place in Beirut (Lebanon) from 5-12 October 2013. The seventh Atelier from 3-10 April 2014 in Edinburgh (UK), the “City of Festivals”, is co-organised and hosted by the Edinburgh International Festival. The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is an intensive 7-day training programme initiated by EFA. It aims at providing 45 young festival managers with solid knowledge and valuable skills in the field of artistic festival management. Applications have to be submitted until 31 March 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/beirut/]Atelier BEIRUT 2013 and until 30 June 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/edinburgh/]Atelier EDINBURGH 2014. The Ateliers follow the guiding motto “The true role of a festival is to help artists to dare, to engage in new projects”, a phrase coined by Bernard Faivre d’Arcier (former Director of the Festival d’Avignon, President of the Lyon Biennial). Under the coordination of Hugo De Greef (former EFA Secretary General, General Manager Bruges European Capital of Culture 2002, Founder and former Director Kaaitheater, Brussels), some ten presenters from all over the world – all renowned, trailblazing festival managers – will share their rich experiences with the participants. After five successful editions (Görlitz, Germany 2006; Varna, Bulgaria 2009; Singapore 2011; Izmir, Turkey 2011; and Ljubljana, Slovenia 2012) 28 presenters have worked with 172 young festival managers from 52 countries and regions. Details and CVs can be found on the Atelier website. This impressive, ever-growing network of Alumni is a key benefit of the participation in EFA’s unique training programme which goes beyond traditional teaching practices. The carefully selected young programmers will widen their horizons and perspectives on festivals and programming practices. They will be able to enlarge and build a sustainable network which proves to be essential on the long-term. “The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is about formulating experiences and passing on knowledge to a next generation of festival makers: knowledge about programming a festival, thematically focusing on the very essence of arts festivals – the art and the artist,” explains EFA President Darko Brlek. Every Atelier is characterised by its hosting city and its festivals. It connects its participants and presenters to the cultural life of the respective city. Both Beirut and Edinburgh were chosen because of their rich cultural landscape providing the ideal setting for the Atelier. Art and culture are omnipresent in Beirut where numerous art galleries and an overwhelming number of cultural events create a unique cultural dynamism. “Beirut, a city at the crossroads between East and West, was reborn 7 times from its ashes. This resilient capital is an Arab metropolis but nonetheless a contemporary European city. The Beiteddine Art Festival is at the heart of this interchange: It was born at times of war, and has grown against all odds into a spectacular cultural hub for the region. It offers a vibrant and unique platform for multicultural exchange and debate,” says Nora Joumblatt, President, Beiteddine Art Festival. Edinburgh, apart from being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, annually hosts 12 major festivals attracting a number of visitors roughly equal to the settled population of the city. Jonathan Mills, Festival Director, Edinburgh International Festival, stresses: “We are very much looking forward to hosting some of the most talented festival managers of the future in Edinburgh in 2014. As one of the world’s leading festival cities and a cultural destination year round, Edinburgh provides the perfect backdrop against which to explore aspects of festival management, potential future challenges and opportunities, and an ideal setting in which to make connections with a range of globally active cultural contributors who will help shape our shared future.” The Calls for Application including the selection criteria, the Application Forms, as well as all information and latest updates about the Atelier can be found at [http://www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu/]www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu" target="_blank">Atelier BEIRUT 2013 and until 30 June 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/edinburgh/]Atelier EDINBURGH 2014" target="_blank">Atelier BEIRUT 2013" target="_blank"> The European Festivals Association (EFA) will organise two Ateliers for Young Festival Managers in 2013 and 2014. The sixth edition in the Atelier’s history is the first in the Arab world: co-organised and hosted by the Beiteddine Art Festival, it will take place in Beirut (Lebanon) from 5-12 October 2013. The seventh Atelier from 3-10 April 2014 in Edinburgh (UK), the “City of Festivals”, is co-organised and hosted by the Edinburgh International Festival. The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is an intensive 7-day training programme initiated by EFA. It aims at providing 45 young festival managers with solid knowledge and valuable skills in the field of artistic festival management. Applications have to be submitted until 31 March 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/beirut/]Atelier BEIRUT 2013 and until 30 June 2013 for the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/activities/atelier/edinburgh/]Atelier EDINBURGH 2014. The Ateliers follow the guiding motto “The true role of a festival is to help artists to dare, to engage in new projects”, a phrase coined by Bernard Faivre d’Arcier (former Director of the Festival d’Avignon, President of the Lyon Biennial). Under the coordination of Hugo De Greef (former EFA Secretary General, General Manager Bruges European Capital of Culture 2002, Founder and former Director Kaaitheater, Brussels), some ten presenters from all over the world – all renowned, trailblazing festival managers – will share their rich experiences with the participants. After five successful editions (Görlitz, Germany 2006; Varna, Bulgaria 2009; Singapore 2011; Izmir, Turkey 2011; and Ljubljana, Slovenia 2012) 28 presenters have worked with 172 young festival managers from 52 countries and regions. Details and CVs can be found on the Atelier website. This impressive, ever-growing network of Alumni is a key benefit of the participation in EFA’s unique training programme which goes beyond traditional teaching practices. The carefully selected young programmers will widen their horizons and perspectives on festivals and programming practices. They will be able to enlarge and build a sustainable network which proves to be essential on the long-term. “The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is about formulating experiences and passing on knowledge to a next generation of festival makers: knowledge about programming a festival, thematically focusing on the very essence of arts festivals – the art and the artist,” explains EFA President Darko Brlek. Every Atelier is characterised by its hosting city and its festivals. It connects its participants and presenters to the cultural life of the respective city. Both Beirut and Edinburgh were chosen because of their rich cultural landscape providing the ideal setting for the Atelier. Art and culture are omnipresent in Beirut where numerous art galleries and an overwhelming number of cultural events create a unique cultural dynamism. “Beirut, a city at the crossroads between East and West, was reborn 7 times from its ashes. This resilient capital is an Arab metropolis but nonetheless a contemporary European city. The Beiteddine Art Festival is at the heart of this interchange: It was born at times of war, and has grown against all odds into a spectacular cultural hub for the region. It offers a vibrant and unique platform for multicultural exchange and debate,” says Nora Joumblatt, President, Beiteddine Art Festival. Edinburgh, apart from being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, annually hosts 12 major festivals attracting a number of visitors roughly equal to the settled population of the city. Jonathan Mills, Festival Director, Edinburgh International Festival, stresses: “We are very much looking forward to hosting some of the most talented festival managers of the future in Edinburgh in 2014. As one of the world’s leading festival cities and a cultural destination year round, Edinburgh provides the perfect backdrop against which to explore aspects of festival management, potential future challenges and opportunities, and an ideal setting in which to make connections with a range of globally active cultural contributors who will help shape our shared future.” The Calls for Application including the selection criteria, the Application Forms, as well as all information and latest updates about the Atelier can be found at [http://www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu/]www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu. Please contact atelier@efa-aef.eu for further questions. Contact Inge Ceustermans Project Manager Atelier for Young Festival Managers European Festivals Association Kleine Gentstraat 46 B-9051 Gent • Belgium Tel: + 32 9 241 80 80 Fax: + 32 9 241 80 89 inge@efa-aef.eu [http://www.efa-aef.eu/]www.efa-aef.eu [http://www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu/]www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu