In one month, the European Festivals Association celebrates its Jubilee in Bergen (23-25 May 2012) "EFA 60 Years On", hosted and co-organised by the Bergen International Festival. It will bring together EFA members, festivals worldwide, partner networks, friends and colleagues from the wider cultural and professional community. All news related to the Jubilee are spread through the 2012 FestFlash series. The first edition includes information on the overall programme with focus on high-level participation, the different sessions and the partners involved. 170 participants from all over the world to attend Jubilee We are proud to welcome 170 participants. EFA members are joined by representatives of festivals, cultural networks, EFA sister festival networks from around the world as well as political decision-makers. EFA is particularly glad that delegates of the African Festival Association AFRIFESTNET, launched on 19/20 April in Ghana, will join, as well as delegates of the Asian Association of Performing Arts Festivals (AAPAF) and FestArab. Jubilee celebrated in diverse programme The diverse programme includes the Opening Gala of the EFA Jubilee with addresses by festival leaders and political decision makers, the opening of the 2012 Bergen International Festival and a reception on 23 May. On the agenda on 24 May: the Jubilee conference, discussing the Bergen Agenda, is organised with sessions and working groups exploring issues at stake in the festival business, and the EFA Jubilee Banquette in the evening. On 25 May, the General Assembly takes place. The day will conclude with a boat trip and a special programme which you should not miss. What’s more, a series of more exclusive meetings are offered to certain interest groups. Finally, the Bergen International Festival invites participants to enjoy concerts and performances of its own Jubilee edition. Michael Haefliger to hold keynote speech Michael Haefliger, Director of the Lucerne Festival, will be the keynote speaker on behalf of EFA founding members. The Lucerne Festival was one of the 15 festivals in 1952 that founded the Association upon the initiative of the eminent conductor Igor Markevitch and the great philosopher Denis de Rougemont. Michael Haefliger is a "Global Leader of Tomorrow" (as named by the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2000). He will address challenges at stake for festivals in the years to come, in a world that is in great need of festivals promoting values and awareness through the arts. Conference to explore the role of arts for innovation, business and citizens On 24 May, the Conference “EFA 60 Years On: The Bergen Agenda” takes place, with the aim to set the Bergen Agenda under the motto “Celebrate the Arts, Transform People, Imagine the World”. In three Jubilee sessions some 20 speakers – festival delegates, political decision makers, experts and artists – will explore issues such as innovation in the arts, arts and business and citizens in digital times. In addition, a presentation and information session is scheduled to discuss research on festivals proposed by France Festivals. Political decision makers to attend On 25 May, in an exclusive round table, Mayors, Ministers and EU representatives exchange on the role of festivals in local, regional, European and global development in the framework of EFA’s proposal 'Europe for Festivals - Festivals for Europe'. Participants include: Doris Pack, Chairwoman Culture Committee European Parliament, and Jan Truszczynski, Director General European Commission. They will be joined by Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Norway János Herman, representatives of DG EAC and members of the Bergen City Council and Norwegian Parliament. EFA Jubilee publications to be presented EFA is preparing its Jubilee publication which will be presented in Bergen: a book with the contribution of 30 authors will evoke a mosaic of EFA’s multiple facets – covering 60 years of history in Europe during which our continent has changed dramatically; thematically covering a diversity in membership and a rich activity programme. First ever Atelier Alumni meeting For the first time in the history of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers, previous Atelier participants will gather. On 25 May, they will exchange on joint projects realised since their participation and explore future opportunities. “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 EFA’s training programme on artistic festival management,” underlines EFA President Darko Brlek. This number will increase more after the fifth edition in 2012 from 14-21 October in Ljubljana. Application deadline: 31 May. Spread the word! MusMA, Working Group Communication and FESTudy researchers to meet Young composers, communication and research: the Bergen gathering provides an opportunity for chosen interest groups to exchange: the participants of and representatives interested in the co-production project MusMA – Music Masters on Air will meet to exchange on future steps. The Working Group “Communicating Festivals – Communicating Europe” will gather and engage in communicating the Jubilee throughout the three days. Last but not least, the FESTudy team will present the state of play of the research project. More details on each of the meetings in the next FestFlash. EFA Jubilee co-produced with international partners The Jubilee is organised in a broad partnership of high-level international players from the cultural sector. Each Jubilee session is co-produced by one of EFA's key partners: the European House for Culture, A Soul for Europe and the Access to Culture platform. They will place the Bergen Agenda in broader sectorial frameworks. A Sounding Board, a Strategy Group and the Working Group “Communicating Festivals – Communicating Europe” have been offering their expertise in the development of the anniversary activities and will ensure its continuation following the Bergen meeting. Latest news can be followed in the media section of the Jubilee website at www.efa-aef.eu/efa60. Congratulations and video messages are published regularly. You can subscribe to the EFA FestFlash here.