“We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded Royal Title from today (28 November 2012), we will be called The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama,” says Principal, Prof. Gavin Henderson, who has been the President of the European Festivals Association (EFA) in 2004. In one of the final gestures of her Diamond Jubilee year, Her Majesty The Queen has confirmed Royal Title on Central, which recognises both its great history and its reputation as a world class institution for exceptional professional training in theatre and performance studies. As the only UK institution with such a wide range of training and research in all aspects of theatre, the School has been acknowledged as distinctive in its field as both a high-level conservatoire and a research-active university college. Central remains passionately committed to the engagement with members from all communities and produces graduates who challenge the parameters of the discipline. Principal, Prof. Gavin Henderson, CBE, said: "2012 has been a landmark year for Central, not only for the large number of students and alumni who used their skills and training to contribute to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, but now we have been honoured with a Royal Title in The Queen's Diamond Jubilee year." He continued: "Central has a powerful history and global standing. That history begins with its founder Elsie Fogerty, who believed not only in training for the theatre but in taking drama and poetry to the children of the London slums. Central will continue to build upon this history and champion community engagement in the arts." The School has produced, and continues to produce, high quality industry professionals, leading artists, innovators and educators in the worlds of theatre, film and television. It is a member of the University of London and, with Royal Title, now joins other 'Royal' members of the University including The Royal Academy of Music. As former President Gavin Henderson keeps engaging in different EFA projects: he acted as presenter at the Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Görlitz, Germany (2006); features in the EFA publication EFA BOOKS 3 “Cahier de l’Atelier. Arts festivals for the sake of art?” (2008) with a conversation with current EFA President Darko Brlek and former EFA President Frans de Ruiter; and wrote for the EFA Jubilee publication “European Festivals Association: 60 Years On!” (2012). In the latter, in his essay “The arts are a precious safety valve”, Gavin Henderson recalls the days when EFA served as a front for meeting dissidents in Eastern Europe, explores how EFA’s role changed when the wall came down, and how today the economic crisis is asking for another reevaluation. His continued engagement confirms his commitment to EFA’s mission: the contribution of networks in the creation of Europe as a cultural project, the importance of passing on knowledge, and the role of arts and artistic creation in society. Related links: • Central School of Speech and Drama celebrates new Royal Title