Following four editions of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers – Görlitz/Germany (2006), Varna/Bulgaria (2009), Singapore (2011) and Izmir, Turkey (2011) – 20 Alumni gathered for the first time from 23-25 May in Bergen, at the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of the European Festivals Association (EFA). Together with presenters such as Bernard Faivre d’Arcier, Steve Austen, Hugo De Greef and Ching-Lee Goh, they discussed the personal and professional impacts of the Atelier as well as its future and their involvement in it. Due to the high interest of managers in the past few days and the great response following the exchanges with 180 Jubilee Gala participants, including delegates of sister festival networks from Asia, Africa and the Arab region, EFA extends the deadline of application for the fifth edition in Ljubljana (14-21 October 2012) until 30 June 2012. EFA invites its members from 40 countries, partner networks such as the African Festival Association AFRIFESTNET, the Association of Asian Performing Arts Festivals (AAPAF) and the FestArab initiative, festivals, cultural organisations, networks, foundations, universities etc to delegate a young festival manager to participate in the Atelier LJUBLJANA 2012, and to spread the Call for Application broadly to their members, partners, contacts and interested people. Distinguished festival directors including Bernard Faivre d’Arcier (President of the Lyon Biennial, France), Robyn Archer (Creative Director The Centenary of Canberra (2013), Artistic Director The Light In Winter Melbourne, Australia), Hugo De Greef (initiator of festivals and General Manager Bruges European Capital of Culture 2002, Belgium), Rose Fenton (International Arts Producer and Advisor, UK), Nele Hertling (Vice-Chair of the Academy of Arts Berlin, Germany), Michal Merczynski (Director Malta Festival Poznan, Poland), and Jonathan Mills (Festival Director and Chief Executive Edinburgh International Festival, UK), together with some other experienced festival pioneers attending for several days, guide participants throughout the 7 days. In lectures, one-to-one talks, group discussions as well as intense workshops on case studies, issues such as artistic vision, political and social responsibility, internationalisation, networking, renewal and sustainability are explored. The Atelier – initiated by the European Festivals Association – is guided by the motto “Car le vrai rôle d'un festival est d'aider les artistes à oser, à entreprendre des projets,” borrowed from Bernard Faivre d'Arcier, longstanding Director of the Avignon Festival. It is an intense and rigorous 7 days training platform addressed at emerging artistic festival directors or those who have ambitions to become involved in programming or in programming related departments within a festival. It is all 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. Application procedure and deadlines All information on the Atelier, selection criteria and application procedure can be found in the Call for Application. The Application Form has to be submitted until 30 June 2012: • Call for Application • Application Form Young festival managers from all over the world are invited to apply. Partners and city The Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Ljubljana is co-organised by the Ljubljana Festival, one of the most important festivals in the region. Since 60 years, the festival has hosted numerous internationally recognised artists. The Ljubljana Festival has been a member of EFA since 1977. Ljubljana is famous for its unique character: it has preserved its historical heritage and tradition while being a modern and relatively young city. Ljubljana boasts one of the world's oldest philharmonic societies. Each year it hosts over 10,000 cultural events, from prestigious musical, theatre and art events to alternative and avant-garde events, including 14 international festivals. Related links and documents • Legacy of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers • Press release: Atelier LJUBLJANA 2012 launched - Call for Applications online • LJUBLJANA 2012: Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Ljubljana/Slovenia • IZMIR 2011: Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Izmir/Turkey • SINGAPORE 2011: Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Singapore • VARNA 2009: Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Varna/Bulgaria • GÖRLITZ 2006: Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Görlitz/Germany Latest news, documents, and all information related to the Atelier can be followed at www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu. In case of further questions please contact atelier@efa-aef.eu or call +32 9 241 8080.