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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!
20th anniversary of the Usedom Music Festival: Focus on Estonia
17 June 2013
Internationally renowned artists celebrate Estonian music culture and the 20th anniversary of the Usedom Music Festival on the island of Usedom from 21 September to 12 October 2013. Kurt Masur tunes in for a Special Concert on 13 September. - more...
Creativity, diversity and excellence celebrated at Beiteddine Art Festival in Lebanon
14 June 2013
This summer, the Beiteddine Art Festival celebrates its 28th edition under the label of Creativity, Diversity and Excellence. From 21 June to 10 August, the 2013 season presents an impressive choice of performances: from a musical journey following the steps of Marco Polo linking East and West, to a Chinese Acrobatic Circus by their National Acrobatic Troupe, from Flamenco with the great dancer Maria Pages, to ancient Arabic music of the 14th century, from Edith Piaf’s legendary repertoire to jazz and blues with Dee Dee Bridgewater and Ramsey Lewis… - more...
EFA newsletter FestFlash 1/2013: “Festival Bytes: A Journey through the World of Festivals”
12 June 2013
The newsletter FestFlash of the European Festivals Association (EFA) invites you on a journey through the world of festivals! Inspired by EFA’s latest publication “Inside/Insight Festivals. 9 Festival Directors – 9 Stories” and with contributions from EFA’s blog Festival Bytes, the FestFlash provides you with insights into festivals, festival making and artistic endeavours; it features a variety of sources and shares the ideas of personalities from the festival and cultural sectors on the role of arts and culture in general and of festivals in particular. - more...
Together with Turkey
12 June 2013
“The mobilisation of citizens in many cities all over Turkey shows a great need for debate on the concept and the implementation of democracy, pluralism and citizenship in the country. EFA hopes that the result will be positive and supports its members in their actions. This is just one instance of a global trend that shows us new tools and concepts are needed to bring contemporary democratic values to life,” says EFA President Darko Brlek. The European Festivals Association (EFA), together with its members and partners such as the European House for Culture or A Soul for Europe, is continuously working on the role culture has to play in this process. - more...
The best of the world at the International Izmir Festival
10 June 2013
The Izmir Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSEV) is carrying on its tradition of presenting the best orchestras of the world at the International Izmir Festival, as the New York Philharmonic opened the 27th edition of Festival running from 2 May until 16 July 2013. The New York Philharmonic which is the oldest orchestra of the US started its 2013 Europe/Spring Tour from Izmir. - more...
Israel Festival 2013: Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève - Midnight East review
09 June 2013
(Written by: Ayelet Dekel) Birthdays, graduations, holidays, festivals and weddings: those dates we mark with a star on the calendar, await their arrival, count the days in anticipation. The Israel Festival is one of those times and traditions, and the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève fulfilled the promise this past weekend with a performance that lifts one up out of the ordinary, into realms of wonder. - more...
New on Festival Bytes: Places are sensed, senses are placed
07 June 2013
(By Kathrin Devente) Next to me on the bus from Vienna to Brno an older man from Brno, who has been working and living in Vienna for more than 25 years together with his family, told me that it is always a strong moment of emotion to come back to Brno, to his home town. He says he feels very much connected, he feels at home. It reminded me of the quote Jonathan Mills (Director of the Edinburgh International Festival) always refers to by French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty: “Just as places are sensed, senses are placed.” Yes! Brno is his hometown; his story, his history, his feelings, are connected to this place. - more...
Israel Festival 2013: "Housen" - Midnight East review
06 June 2013
(WRITTEN BY: AYELET DEKEL) Hansen House is a star, Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar know how to put on a great show, and their ensemble of dancers is simply spectacular! The duo have created a special adaptation of their dance work House for the Israel Festival, designed for performance in an unusual location: Hansen House, also known as the Lepers Hospital. - more...
Israel Festival 2013: "The Table" - Midnight East review
06 June 2013
(WRITTEN BY: AYELET DEKEL) Brash, brilliantly conceived and the most fascinating bit of cardboard I’ve ever met, Moses is the star of Blind Summit Theatre’s The Table. As the performers so cunningly observed, describing this theatrical event, one of the highlights of my experiences at the Israel Festival so far, confronts the critic with a daunting challenge, because it is precisely what it claims to be: a puppet on a table. - more...
Atelier for Young Festival Managers EDINBURGH 2014: one more month to apply
05 June 2013
The seventh Atelier for Young Festival Managers, initiated by the European Festivals Association (EFA), will take place from 3 to 10 April 2014 in the festival city Edinburgh, UK, in collaboration with the Edinburgh International Festival. The new generation of artistic festival directors worldwide is invited to apply until 30 June 2013. 10 renowned festival directors will guide participants through the 7-day intense training programme by making use of the dynamic and lively Scottish cultural life. - more...
New on Festival Bytes: To Hack Or Not To Hack?
04 June 2013
(By Jonathan May) “Hi. My name’s Jonathan and I’m Digital Producer at LIFT.” I’ve found myself saying this a lot in the last five months at meet ups in East London, talks, conferences, digital summits and of course Silicon Drinkabouts. Pleased as punch as I am with the work I do, I’ve also found this new job title a little problematic since my role changed at LIFT (the London International Festival of Theatre)… but we’ll come to that later. - more...
Israel's largest cultural festival features performances by Israeli and international artists
03 June 2013
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The 52nd annual Israel Festival showcases dance, music and theater performances by international and Israeli artists in Jerusalem from 23 May until 22 June 2013. Being Israel's largest art and culture festival, The Israel Festival showcases a diverse selection of performances in concert halls, theaters and outdoor venues throughout Jerusalem. - more...
Concentus Moraviae Festival under the Italian Sun
31 May 2013
The Concentus Moraviae Festival is focused on Italian baroque music in its 18th edition. Traditionally during the month of June (1-29 June 2013), the festival events open the door of historical buildings in the South Moravia and Higlands regions. 19 charming towns will become the venue of 33 festival events which intend to be a focused probe on the baroque Italy. - more...
Vilnius Festival 2013: Seven plus one for the 17th year
30 May 2013
It is the17th year of the Vilnius Festival – one of the country’s most respectable music events - and this time it is dedicated to Lithuania’s Presidency of the European Council. The Festival will take place from 3 to 20 June. The programme of this musical forum organised by the National Philharmonic and the public institution Vilniaus Festivaliai features 8 concerts, or, more specifically – seven plus one, as the concert of Bobby McFerrin and Group individually organised by the Vilniaus Festivaliai to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this public institution has also been included into the Festival programme. - more...
“Time and Transformation”: Istanbul Music Festival runs from 4-29 June
29 May 2013
The Istanbul Music Festival organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) will be held between 4 and 29 June around the theme “Time and Transformation”. The 41st Istanbul Music Festival will host approximately 500 local and foreign artists including Vadim Repin, Maxim Vengerov, Shlomo Mintz, Mario João Pires, Khatia Buniatishvili, Magdelena Kožená, Kim Kashkashian, Sol Gabetta, and two of the world’s leading orchestras, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen and Munich Chamber Orchestra. - more...
New on Festival Bytes: It is all about listening
28 May 2013
(By Yuriy Vulkovsky) It is all about listening. As a newcomer at the General Assembly of the European Festivals Association (EFA) in Granada my main task was to listen carefully. And I heard a lot of interesting stories and facts. It was inspiring. But it is not only about me – during the conference it became clear that it is time for all of us to listen more carefully and more profoundly. “Listen to your sponsors!” was one of the key advices during the panel discussion on sponsorship. “Listen to your audiences!” was another key message during the discussion on communication. So, I was listening, and I was thinking. About EFA, about the conference and also about the Bulgarian context I am coming from. - more...
New on Festival Bytes: Surviving in Beirut
24 May 2013
(By Jurriaan Cooiman) The law of the street is without mercy – cars, cars and more cars everywhere from Hamra to downtown. It is like a trip between two cities in Switzerland. When a car was driving into our direction in a one-way-street (we were driving in the “right” direction) the taxi driver said: “You see, we are a free country!” - more...
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 (11-13 June 2013)
13 May 2013
The first edition of the European Festivals Association’s 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 unique 3-day programme consists of public lectures and debates, and introduces participants to artistic festival management. The Festival Readings are a space for discussion embedded into the dynamics of the festival. Participants and distinguished presenters are invited to reflect on festivals’ role in society. The Festival Readings will explore how a festival, taking place in a particular context, can be a special and innovative experience and a platform for the art, artists and audiences alike. - 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...
