PRESS RELEASE; Brussels, 18 February 2013" title=" On 12 February 2013 the European Festivals Association (EFA) and Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, invited 18 directors of major European festivals for the annual round table "Arts Festivals meet EU Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou". At this occasion, participating festival leaders launched a joint statement “Culture Combats Cuts”. In the released statement, festival leaders and the European Festivals Association call upon the Members of the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission to maintain the EU budget 2014-2020 for culture under the heading ‘citizenship and security’ at the level proposed by the European Commission. Furthermore, they agreed to address MEPs to include strong statements on culture in their parties’ manifestos in the run-up to the European Parliament elections 2014; to work together with the cultural sector and the European institutions towards a ‘European Resolution for Culture’ and to dedicate activities in their festival programme to raising awareness about Europe towards citizens. In light of the 2013 European Year of Citizens festival leaders committed to engage their artists, audiences and intellectuals in a debate with politicians on the future of Europe. “Our festivals will dedicate part of the discourses we hold to the overall aim of agreeing on tangible commitments for actions that contribute to a citizens’ Europe,” stressed EFA President Darko Brlek. Commissioner Vassiliou welcomed EFA’s continued engagement for the common aims to build a strong Europe of citizens: “Festivals have a unique mission in our joint effort to shape a 'new narrative for Europe'.” She acknowledged the role that arts and culture in general and festivals in particular can play in processes of democracy and integration, especially when aiming at citizens’ participation in reference to the European institutional developments in 2014. She stressed that in times of austerity, this type of engagement is needed to keep culture on the agenda and in the budget. “It is time to establish a new understanding of the power that the arts have on citizens,” urged Jonathan Mills, Director Edinburgh International Festival. “We need to develop a new value system that addresses the impact of the arts in public space, a vocabulary that goes beyond the economic impact,” said Bernard Foccroulle, Director General Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. As a network for festivals across Europe and beyond, EFA promotes festivals’ significance and their important role in international cultural cooperation; underlines the state of art in society; sets common policy; and acts prominently in the wider political debate. Against this background, the released statement confirms the commitment of EFA and its members for a cultural Europe, a Europe of citizens. The On 12 February 2013 the European Festivals Association (EFA) and Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, invited 18 directors of major European festivals for the annual round table "Arts Festivals meet EU Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou". At this occasion, participating festival leaders launched a joint statement “Culture Combats Cuts”. In the released statement, festival leaders and the European Festivals Association call upon the Members of the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission to maintain the EU budget 2014-2020 for culture under the heading ‘citizenship and security’ at the level proposed by the European Commission. Furthermore, they agreed to address MEPs to include strong statements on culture in their parties’ manifestos in the run-up to the European Parliament elections 2014; to work together with the cultural sector and the European institutions towards a ‘European Resolution for Culture’ and to dedicate activities in their festival programme to raising awareness about Europe towards citizens. In light of the 2013 European Year of Citizens festival leaders committed to engage their artists, audiences and intellectuals in a debate with politicians on the future of Europe. “Our festivals will dedicate part of the discourses we hold to the overall aim of agreeing on tangible commitments for actions that contribute to a citizens’ Europe,” stressed EFA President Darko Brlek. Commissioner Vassiliou welcomed EFA’s continued engagement for the common aims to build a strong Europe of citizens: “Festivals have a unique mission in our joint effort to shape a 'new narrative for Europe'.” She acknowledged the role that arts and culture in general and festivals in particular can play in processes of democracy and integration, especially when aiming at citizens’ participation in reference to the European institutional developments in 2014. She stressed that in times of austerity, this type of engagement is needed to keep culture on the agenda and in the budget. “It is time to establish a new understanding of the power that the arts have on citizens,” urged Jonathan Mills, Director Edinburgh International Festival. “We need to develop a new value system that addresses the impact of the arts in public space, a vocabulary that goes beyond the economic impact,” said Bernard Foccroulle, Director General Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. As a network for festivals across Europe and beyond, EFA promotes festivals’ significance and their important role in international cultural cooperation; underlines the state of art in society; sets common policy; and acts prominently in the wider political debate. Against this background, the released statement confirms the commitment of EFA and its members for a cultural Europe, a Europe of citizens. The full statement is available on the EFA website" target="_blank"> On 12 February 2013 the European Festivals Association (EFA) and Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, invited 18 directors of major European festivals for the annual round table "Arts Festivals meet EU Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou". At this occasion, participating festival leaders launched a joint statement “Culture Combats Cuts”. In the released statement, festival leaders and the European Festivals Association call upon the Members of the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission to maintain the EU budget 2014-2020 for culture under the heading ‘citizenship and security’ at the level proposed by the European Commission. Furthermore, they agreed to address MEPs to include strong statements on culture in their parties’ manifestos in the run-up to the European Parliament elections 2014; to work together with the cultural sector and the European institutions towards a ‘European Resolution for Culture’ and to dedicate activities in their festival programme to raising awareness about Europe towards citizens. In light of the 2013 European Year of Citizens festival leaders committed to engage their artists, audiences and intellectuals in a debate with politicians on the future of Europe. “Our festivals will dedicate part of the discourses we hold to the overall aim of agreeing on tangible commitments for actions that contribute to a citizens’ Europe,” stressed EFA President Darko Brlek. Commissioner Vassiliou welcomed EFA’s continued engagement for the common aims to build a strong Europe of citizens: “Festivals have a unique mission in our joint effort to shape a 'new narrative for Europe'.” She acknowledged the role that arts and culture in general and festivals in particular can play in processes of democracy and integration, especially when aiming at citizens’ participation in reference to the European institutional developments in 2014. She stressed that in times of austerity, this type of engagement is needed to keep culture on the agenda and in the budget. “It is time to establish a new understanding of the power that the arts have on citizens,” urged Jonathan Mills, Director Edinburgh International Festival. “We need to develop a new value system that addresses the impact of the arts in public space, a vocabulary that goes beyond the economic impact,” said Bernard Foccroulle, Director General Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. As a network for festivals across Europe and beyond, EFA promotes festivals’ significance and their important role in international cultural cooperation; underlines the state of art in society; sets common policy; and acts prominently in the wider political debate. Against this background, the released statement confirms the commitment of EFA and its members for a cultural Europe, a Europe of citizens. The full statement is available on the EFA website. It was the third round table since the Commissioner took office. In 2013, the following festivals were represented: Airan Berg, Mannheim 2020; Jan Briers, Federation Music Festivals Flanders; Darko Brlek, Festival Ljubljana; Constantin Chiriac, Sibiu International Theatre Festival; Hugo De Greef, European House for Culture; Jelle Dierickx, Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival; Paul Dujardin, BOZAR; Bernard Foccroulle, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence; Guy Gypens, Kaaitheater; Andrzej Kosendiak, International Festival Wratislavia Cantans; Massimo Mercelli, Emilia Romagna Festival; Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival; Piñeiro Nagy, Estoril Festival/Estoril Music Weeks; Thomas Oberender, Berliner Festspiele; Virginie Puff, Festival d'Automne à Paris; Bosko Radojkovic, Belgrade Music Festival; Hanna Styrmisdóttir, Reykjavík Arts Festival; and Biljana Zdravkovic, Serbian Festivals Association. The meeting continued the standing tradition of close dialogue between EFA and the European Commission. Previous meetings with Commissioner Vassiliou took place in 2010 and 2012, and were preceded by several meetings with her predecessor Jan Figel’. This dialogue with the European Commission will be continued to further discuss the proposals and their implementation. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/EFAStatement_CultureCombatsCuts.pdf]Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013" target="_blank">full statement is available on the EFA website" target="_blank"> On 12 February 2013 the European Festivals Association (EFA) and Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, invited 18 directors of major European festivals for the annual round table "Arts Festivals meet EU Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou". At this occasion, participating festival leaders launched a joint statement “Culture Combats Cuts”. In the released statement, festival leaders and the European Festivals Association call upon the Members of the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission to maintain the EU budget 2014-2020 for culture under the heading ‘citizenship and security’ at the level proposed by the European Commission. Furthermore, they agreed to address MEPs to include strong statements on culture in their parties’ manifestos in the run-up to the European Parliament elections 2014; to work together with the cultural sector and the European institutions towards a ‘European Resolution for Culture’ and to dedicate activities in their festival programme to raising awareness about Europe towards citizens. In light of the 2013 European Year of Citizens festival leaders committed to engage their artists, audiences and intellectuals in a debate with politicians on the future of Europe. “Our festivals will dedicate part of the discourses we hold to the overall aim of agreeing on tangible commitments for actions that contribute to a citizens’ Europe,” stressed EFA President Darko Brlek. Commissioner Vassiliou welcomed EFA’s continued engagement for the common aims to build a strong Europe of citizens: “Festivals have a unique mission in our joint effort to shape a 'new narrative for Europe'.” She acknowledged the role that arts and culture in general and festivals in particular can play in processes of democracy and integration, especially when aiming at citizens’ participation in reference to the European institutional developments in 2014. She stressed that in times of austerity, this type of engagement is needed to keep culture on the agenda and in the budget. “It is time to establish a new understanding of the power that the arts have on citizens,” urged Jonathan Mills, Director Edinburgh International Festival. “We need to develop a new value system that addresses the impact of the arts in public space, a vocabulary that goes beyond the economic impact,” said Bernard Foccroulle, Director General Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. As a network for festivals across Europe and beyond, EFA promotes festivals’ significance and their important role in international cultural cooperation; underlines the state of art in society; sets common policy; and acts prominently in the wider political debate. Against this background, the released statement confirms the commitment of EFA and its members for a cultural Europe, a Europe of citizens. The [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/1420/Culture%20Combats%20Cuts%3a%20Statement%20of%20festival%20leaders%20and%20EFA%20%E2%80%93%20Brussels-Belgium%2c%2012%20February%202013/]full statement is available on the EFA website. It was the third round table since the Commissioner took office. In 2013, the following festivals were represented: Airan Berg, Mannheim 2020; Jan Briers, Federation Music Festivals Flanders; Darko Brlek, Festival Ljubljana; Constantin Chiriac, Sibiu International Theatre Festival; Hugo De Greef, European House for Culture; Jelle Dierickx, Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival; Paul Dujardin, BOZAR; Bernard Foccroulle, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence; Guy Gypens, Kaaitheater; Andrzej Kosendiak, International Festival Wratislavia Cantans; Massimo Mercelli, Emilia Romagna Festival; Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival; Piñeiro Nagy, Estoril Festival/Estoril Music Weeks; Thomas Oberender, Berliner Festspiele; Virginie Puff, Festival d'Automne à Paris; Bosko Radojkovic, Belgrade Music Festival; Hanna Styrmisdóttir, Reykjavík Arts Festival; and Biljana Zdravkovic, Serbian Festivals Association. The meeting continued the standing tradition of close dialogue between EFA and the European Commission. Previous meetings with Commissioner Vassiliou took place in 2010 and 2012, and were preceded by several meetings with her predecessor Jan Figel’. This dialogue with the European Commission will be continued to further discuss the proposals and their implementation. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/EFAStatement_CultureCombatsCuts.pdf]Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013 • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/130218_EFA_Press_Release_MeetingCommissionerVassiliou.pdf]Press Release; Brussels, 18 February 2013 • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/gallery/pictures/150/Arts%20Festivals%20meet%20EU%20Commissioner%20Androulla%20Vassiliou/]Photo Gallery" target="_blank">Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013" target="_blank">full statement is available on the EFA website" target="_blank"> On 12 February 2013 the European Festivals Association (EFA) and Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, invited 18 directors of major European festivals for the annual round table "Arts Festivals meet EU Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou". At this occasion, participating festival leaders launched a joint statement “Culture Combats Cuts”. In the released statement, festival leaders and the European Festivals Association call upon the Members of the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission to maintain the EU budget 2014-2020 for culture under the heading ‘citizenship and security’ at the level proposed by the European Commission. Furthermore, they agreed to address MEPs to include strong statements on culture in their parties’ manifestos in the run-up to the European Parliament elections 2014; to work together with the cultural sector and the European institutions towards a ‘European Resolution for Culture’ and to dedicate activities in their festival programme to raising awareness about Europe towards citizens. In light of the 2013 European Year of Citizens festival leaders committed to engage their artists, audiences and intellectuals in a debate with politicians on the future of Europe. “Our festivals will dedicate part of the discourses we hold to the overall aim of agreeing on tangible commitments for actions that contribute to a citizens’ Europe,” stressed EFA President Darko Brlek. Commissioner Vassiliou welcomed EFA’s continued engagement for the common aims to build a strong Europe of citizens: “Festivals have a unique mission in our joint effort to shape a 'new narrative for Europe'.” She acknowledged the role that arts and culture in general and festivals in particular can play in processes of democracy and integration, especially when aiming at citizens’ participation in reference to the European institutional developments in 2014. She stressed that in times of austerity, this type of engagement is needed to keep culture on the agenda and in the budget. “It is time to establish a new understanding of the power that the arts have on citizens,” urged Jonathan Mills, Director Edinburgh International Festival. “We need to develop a new value system that addresses the impact of the arts in public space, a vocabulary that goes beyond the economic impact,” said Bernard Foccroulle, Director General Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. As a network for festivals across Europe and beyond, EFA promotes festivals’ significance and their important role in international cultural cooperation; underlines the state of art in society; sets common policy; and acts prominently in the wider political debate. Against this background, the released statement confirms the commitment of EFA and its members for a cultural Europe, a Europe of citizens. The [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/1420/Culture%20Combats%20Cuts%3a%20Statement%20of%20festival%20leaders%20and%20EFA%20%E2%80%93%20Brussels-Belgium%2c%2012%20February%202013/]full statement is available on the EFA website. It was the third round table since the Commissioner took office. In 2013, the following festivals were represented: Airan Berg, Mannheim 2020; Jan Briers, Federation Music Festivals Flanders; Darko Brlek, Festival Ljubljana; Constantin Chiriac, Sibiu International Theatre Festival; Hugo De Greef, European House for Culture; Jelle Dierickx, Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival; Paul Dujardin, BOZAR; Bernard Foccroulle, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence; Guy Gypens, Kaaitheater; Andrzej Kosendiak, International Festival Wratislavia Cantans; Massimo Mercelli, Emilia Romagna Festival; Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival; Piñeiro Nagy, Estoril Festival/Estoril Music Weeks; Thomas Oberender, Berliner Festspiele; Virginie Puff, Festival d'Automne à Paris; Bosko Radojkovic, Belgrade Music Festival; Hanna Styrmisdóttir, Reykjavík Arts Festival; and Biljana Zdravkovic, Serbian Festivals Association. The meeting continued the standing tradition of close dialogue between EFA and the European Commission. Previous meetings with Commissioner Vassiliou took place in 2010 and 2012, and were preceded by several meetings with her predecessor Jan Figel’. This dialogue with the European Commission will be continued to further discuss the proposals and their implementation. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/EFAStatement_CultureCombatsCuts.pdf]Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013 • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/130218_EFA_Press_Release_MeetingCommissionerVassiliou.pdf]Press Release; Brussels, 18 February 2013" target="_blank">full statement is available on the EFA website. It was the third round table since the Commissioner took office. In 2013, the following festivals were represented: Airan Berg, Mannheim 2020; Jan Briers, Federation Music Festivals Flanders; Darko Brlek, Festival Ljubljana; Constantin Chiriac, Sibiu International Theatre Festival; Hugo De Greef, European House for Culture; Jelle Dierickx, Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival; Paul Dujardin, BOZAR; Bernard Foccroulle, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence; Guy Gypens, Kaaitheater; Andrzej Kosendiak, International Festival Wratislavia Cantans; Massimo Mercelli, Emilia Romagna Festival; Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival; Piñeiro Nagy, Estoril Festival/Estoril Music Weeks; Thomas Oberender, Berliner Festspiele; Virginie Puff, Festival d'Automne à Paris; Bosko Radojkovic, Belgrade Music Festival; Hanna Styrmisdóttir, Reykjavík Arts Festival; and Biljana Zdravkovic, Serbian Festivals Association. The meeting continued the standing tradition of close dialogue between EFA and the European Commission. Previous meetings with Commissioner Vassiliou took place in 2010 and 2012, and were preceded by several meetings with her predecessor Jan Figel’. This dialogue with the European Commission will be continued to further discuss the proposals and their implementation. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/EFAStatement_CultureCombatsCuts.pdf]Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013" target="_blank">full statement is available on the EFA website" target="_blank"> On 12 February 2013 the European Festivals Association (EFA) and Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, invited 18 directors of major European festivals for the annual round table "Arts Festivals meet EU Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou". At this occasion, participating festival leaders launched a joint statement “Culture Combats Cuts”. In the released statement, festival leaders and the European Festivals Association call upon the Members of the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission to maintain the EU budget 2014-2020 for culture under the heading ‘citizenship and security’ at the level proposed by the European Commission. Furthermore, they agreed to address MEPs to include strong statements on culture in their parties’ manifestos in the run-up to the European Parliament elections 2014; to work together with the cultural sector and the European institutions towards a ‘European Resolution for Culture’ and to dedicate activities in their festival programme to raising awareness about Europe towards citizens. In light of the 2013 European Year of Citizens festival leaders committed to engage their artists, audiences and intellectuals in a debate with politicians on the future of Europe. “Our festivals will dedicate part of the discourses we hold to the overall aim of agreeing on tangible commitments for actions that contribute to a citizens’ Europe,” stressed EFA President Darko Brlek. Commissioner Vassiliou welcomed EFA’s continued engagement for the common aims to build a strong Europe of citizens: “Festivals have a unique mission in our joint effort to shape a 'new narrative for Europe'.” She acknowledged the role that arts and culture in general and festivals in particular can play in processes of democracy and integration, especially when aiming at citizens’ participation in reference to the European institutional developments in 2014. She stressed that in times of austerity, this type of engagement is needed to keep culture on the agenda and in the budget. “It is time to establish a new understanding of the power that the arts have on citizens,” urged Jonathan Mills, Director Edinburgh International Festival. “We need to develop a new value system that addresses the impact of the arts in public space, a vocabulary that goes beyond the economic impact,” said Bernard Foccroulle, Director General Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. As a network for festivals across Europe and beyond, EFA promotes festivals’ significance and their important role in international cultural cooperation; underlines the state of art in society; sets common policy; and acts prominently in the wider political debate. Against this background, the released statement confirms the commitment of EFA and its members for a cultural Europe, a Europe of citizens. The [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/1420/Culture%20Combats%20Cuts%3a%20Statement%20of%20festival%20leaders%20and%20EFA%20%E2%80%93%20Brussels-Belgium%2c%2012%20February%202013/]full statement is available on the EFA website. It was the third round table since the Commissioner took office. In 2013, the following festivals were represented: Airan Berg, Mannheim 2020; Jan Briers, Federation Music Festivals Flanders; Darko Brlek, Festival Ljubljana; Constantin Chiriac, Sibiu International Theatre Festival; Hugo De Greef, European House for Culture; Jelle Dierickx, Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival; Paul Dujardin, BOZAR; Bernard Foccroulle, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence; Guy Gypens, Kaaitheater; Andrzej Kosendiak, International Festival Wratislavia Cantans; Massimo Mercelli, Emilia Romagna Festival; Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival; Piñeiro Nagy, Estoril Festival/Estoril Music Weeks; Thomas Oberender, Berliner Festspiele; Virginie Puff, Festival d'Automne à Paris; Bosko Radojkovic, Belgrade Music Festival; Hanna Styrmisdóttir, Reykjavík Arts Festival; and Biljana Zdravkovic, Serbian Festivals Association. The meeting continued the standing tradition of close dialogue between EFA and the European Commission. Previous meetings with Commissioner Vassiliou took place in 2010 and 2012, and were preceded by several meetings with her predecessor Jan Figel’. This dialogue with the European Commission will be continued to further discuss the proposals and their implementation. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/EFAStatement_CultureCombatsCuts.pdf]Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013 • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/130218_EFA_Press_Release_MeetingCommissionerVassiliou.pdf]Press Release; Brussels, 18 February 2013 • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/gallery/pictures/150/Arts%20Festivals%20meet%20EU%20Commissioner%20Androulla%20Vassiliou/]Photo Gallery • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/1201/Round%20Table%3a%20Festivals%20meet%20Commissioner%20Androulla%20Vassiliou/]2012 Round Table with Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou - Brussels/Belgium, 26 January 2012" target="_blank">full statement is available on the EFA website. It was the third round table since the Commissioner took office. In 2013, the following festivals were represented: Airan Berg, Mannheim 2020; Jan Briers, Federation Music Festivals Flanders; Darko Brlek, Festival Ljubljana; Constantin Chiriac, Sibiu International Theatre Festival; Hugo De Greef, European House for Culture; Jelle Dierickx, Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival; Paul Dujardin, BOZAR; Bernard Foccroulle, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence; Guy Gypens, Kaaitheater; Andrzej Kosendiak, International Festival Wratislavia Cantans; Massimo Mercelli, Emilia Romagna Festival; Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival; Piñeiro Nagy, Estoril Festival/Estoril Music Weeks; Thomas Oberender, Berliner Festspiele; Virginie Puff, Festival d'Automne à Paris; Bosko Radojkovic, Belgrade Music Festival; Hanna Styrmisdóttir, Reykjavík Arts Festival; and Biljana Zdravkovic, Serbian Festivals Association. The meeting continued the standing tradition of close dialogue between EFA and the European Commission. Previous meetings with Commissioner Vassiliou took place in 2010 and 2012, and were preceded by several meetings with her predecessor Jan Figel’. This dialogue with the European Commission will be continued to further discuss the proposals and their implementation. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/EFAStatement_CultureCombatsCuts.pdf]Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013 • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/130218_EFA_Press_Release_MeetingCommissionerVassiliou.pdf]Press Release; Brussels, 18 February 2013" target="_blank">full statement is available on the EFA website. It was the third round table since the Commissioner took office. In 2013, the following festivals were represented: Airan Berg, Mannheim 2020; Jan Briers, Federation Music Festivals Flanders; Darko Brlek, Festival Ljubljana; Constantin Chiriac, Sibiu International Theatre Festival; Hugo De Greef, European House for Culture; Jelle Dierickx, Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival; Paul Dujardin, BOZAR; Bernard Foccroulle, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence; Guy Gypens, Kaaitheater; Andrzej Kosendiak, International Festival Wratislavia Cantans; Massimo Mercelli, Emilia Romagna Festival; Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival; Piñeiro Nagy, Estoril Festival/Estoril Music Weeks; Thomas Oberender, Berliner Festspiele; Virginie Puff, Festival d'Automne à Paris; Bosko Radojkovic, Belgrade Music Festival; Hanna Styrmisdóttir, Reykjavík Arts Festival; and Biljana Zdravkovic, Serbian Festivals Association. The meeting continued the standing tradition of close dialogue between EFA and the European Commission. Previous meetings with Commissioner Vassiliou took place in 2010 and 2012, and were preceded by several meetings with her predecessor Jan Figel’. This dialogue with the European Commission will be continued to further discuss the proposals and their implementation. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/EFAStatement_CultureCombatsCuts.pdf]Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013" target="_blank">full statement is available on the EFA website" target="_blank"> On 12 February 2013 the European Festivals Association (EFA) and Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, invited 18 directors of major European festivals for the annual round table "Arts Festivals meet EU Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou". At this occasion, participating festival leaders launched a joint statement “Culture Combats Cuts”. In the released statement, festival leaders and the European Festivals Association call upon the Members of the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission to maintain the EU budget 2014-2020 for culture under the heading ‘citizenship and security’ at the level proposed by the European Commission. Furthermore, they agreed to address MEPs to include strong statements on culture in their parties’ manifestos in the run-up to the European Parliament elections 2014; to work together with the cultural sector and the European institutions towards a ‘European Resolution for Culture’ and to dedicate activities in their festival programme to raising awareness about Europe towards citizens. In light of the 2013 European Year of Citizens festival leaders committed to engage their artists, audiences and intellectuals in a debate with politicians on the future of Europe. “Our festivals will dedicate part of the discourses we hold to the overall aim of agreeing on tangible commitments for actions that contribute to a citizens’ Europe,” stressed EFA President Darko Brlek. Commissioner Vassiliou welcomed EFA’s continued engagement for the common aims to build a strong Europe of citizens: “Festivals have a unique mission in our joint effort to shape a 'new narrative for Europe'.” She acknowledged the role that arts and culture in general and festivals in particular can play in processes of democracy and integration, especially when aiming at citizens’ participation in reference to the European institutional developments in 2014. She stressed that in times of austerity, this type of engagement is needed to keep culture on the agenda and in the budget. “It is time to establish a new understanding of the power that the arts have on citizens,” urged Jonathan Mills, Director Edinburgh International Festival. “We need to develop a new value system that addresses the impact of the arts in public space, a vocabulary that goes beyond the economic impact,” said Bernard Foccroulle, Director General Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. As a network for festivals across Europe and beyond, EFA promotes festivals’ significance and their important role in international cultural cooperation; underlines the state of art in society; sets common policy; and acts prominently in the wider political debate. Against this background, the released statement confirms the commitment of EFA and its members for a cultural Europe, a Europe of citizens. The [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/1420/Culture%20Combats%20Cuts%3a%20Statement%20of%20festival%20leaders%20and%20EFA%20%E2%80%93%20Brussels-Belgium%2c%2012%20February%202013/]full statement is available on the EFA website. It was the third round table since the Commissioner took office. In 2013, the following festivals were represented: Airan Berg, Mannheim 2020; Jan Briers, Federation Music Festivals Flanders; Darko Brlek, Festival Ljubljana; Constantin Chiriac, Sibiu International Theatre Festival; Hugo De Greef, European House for Culture; Jelle Dierickx, Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival; Paul Dujardin, BOZAR; Bernard Foccroulle, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence; Guy Gypens, Kaaitheater; Andrzej Kosendiak, International Festival Wratislavia Cantans; Massimo Mercelli, Emilia Romagna Festival; Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival; Piñeiro Nagy, Estoril Festival/Estoril Music Weeks; Thomas Oberender, Berliner Festspiele; Virginie Puff, Festival d'Automne à Paris; Bosko Radojkovic, Belgrade Music Festival; Hanna Styrmisdóttir, Reykjavík Arts Festival; and Biljana Zdravkovic, Serbian Festivals Association. The meeting continued the standing tradition of close dialogue between EFA and the European Commission. Previous meetings with Commissioner Vassiliou took place in 2010 and 2012, and were preceded by several meetings with her predecessor Jan Figel’. This dialogue with the European Commission will be continued to further discuss the proposals and their implementation. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/EFAStatement_CultureCombatsCuts.pdf]Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013 • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/130218_EFA_Press_Release_MeetingCommissionerVassiliou.pdf]Press Release; Brussels, 18 February 2013 • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/gallery/pictures/150/Arts%20Festivals%20meet%20EU%20Commissioner%20Androulla%20Vassiliou/]Photo Gallery" target="_blank">Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013" target="_blank">full statement is available on the EFA website" target="_blank"> On 12 February 2013 the European Festivals Association (EFA) and Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, invited 18 directors of major European festivals for the annual round table "Arts Festivals meet EU Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou". At this occasion, participating festival leaders launched a joint statement “Culture Combats Cuts”. In the released statement, festival leaders and the European Festivals Association call upon the Members of the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission to maintain the EU budget 2014-2020 for culture under the heading ‘citizenship and security’ at the level proposed by the European Commission. Furthermore, they agreed to address MEPs to include strong statements on culture in their parties’ manifestos in the run-up to the European Parliament elections 2014; to work together with the cultural sector and the European institutions towards a ‘European Resolution for Culture’ and to dedicate activities in their festival programme to raising awareness about Europe towards citizens. In light of the 2013 European Year of Citizens festival leaders committed to engage their artists, audiences and intellectuals in a debate with politicians on the future of Europe. “Our festivals will dedicate part of the discourses we hold to the overall aim of agreeing on tangible commitments for actions that contribute to a citizens’ Europe,” stressed EFA President Darko Brlek. Commissioner Vassiliou welcomed EFA’s continued engagement for the common aims to build a strong Europe of citizens: “Festivals have a unique mission in our joint effort to shape a 'new narrative for Europe'.” She acknowledged the role that arts and culture in general and festivals in particular can play in processes of democracy and integration, especially when aiming at citizens’ participation in reference to the European institutional developments in 2014. She stressed that in times of austerity, this type of engagement is needed to keep culture on the agenda and in the budget. “It is time to establish a new understanding of the power that the arts have on citizens,” urged Jonathan Mills, Director Edinburgh International Festival. “We need to develop a new value system that addresses the impact of the arts in public space, a vocabulary that goes beyond the economic impact,” said Bernard Foccroulle, Director General Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. As a network for festivals across Europe and beyond, EFA promotes festivals’ significance and their important role in international cultural cooperation; underlines the state of art in society; sets common policy; and acts prominently in the wider political debate. Against this background, the released statement confirms the commitment of EFA and its members for a cultural Europe, a Europe of citizens. The [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/1420/Culture%20Combats%20Cuts%3a%20Statement%20of%20festival%20leaders%20and%20EFA%20%E2%80%93%20Brussels-Belgium%2c%2012%20February%202013/]full statement is available on the EFA website. It was the third round table since the Commissioner took office. In 2013, the following festivals were represented: Airan Berg, Mannheim 2020; Jan Briers, Federation Music Festivals Flanders; Darko Brlek, Festival Ljubljana; Constantin Chiriac, Sibiu International Theatre Festival; Hugo De Greef, European House for Culture; Jelle Dierickx, Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival; Paul Dujardin, BOZAR; Bernard Foccroulle, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence; Guy Gypens, Kaaitheater; Andrzej Kosendiak, International Festival Wratislavia Cantans; Massimo Mercelli, Emilia Romagna Festival; Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival; Piñeiro Nagy, Estoril Festival/Estoril Music Weeks; Thomas Oberender, Berliner Festspiele; Virginie Puff, Festival d'Automne à Paris; Bosko Radojkovic, Belgrade Music Festival; Hanna Styrmisdóttir, Reykjavík Arts Festival; and Biljana Zdravkovic, Serbian Festivals Association. The meeting continued the standing tradition of close dialogue between EFA and the European Commission. Previous meetings with Commissioner Vassiliou took place in 2010 and 2012, and were preceded by several meetings with her predecessor Jan Figel’. This dialogue with the European Commission will be continued to further discuss the proposals and their implementation. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/EFAStatement_CultureCombatsCuts.pdf]Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013 • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/130218_EFA_Press_Release_MeetingCommissionerVassiliou.pdf]Press Release; Brussels, 18 February 2013" target="_blank">full statement is available on the EFA website. It was the third round table since the Commissioner took office. In 2013, the following festivals were represented: Airan Berg, Mannheim 2020; Jan Briers, Federation Music Festivals Flanders; Darko Brlek, Festival Ljubljana; Constantin Chiriac, Sibiu International Theatre Festival; Hugo De Greef, European House for Culture; Jelle Dierickx, Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival; Paul Dujardin, BOZAR; Bernard Foccroulle, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence; Guy Gypens, Kaaitheater; Andrzej Kosendiak, International Festival Wratislavia Cantans; Massimo Mercelli, Emilia Romagna Festival; Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival; Piñeiro Nagy, Estoril Festival/Estoril Music Weeks; Thomas Oberender, Berliner Festspiele; Virginie Puff, Festival d'Automne à Paris; Bosko Radojkovic, Belgrade Music Festival; Hanna Styrmisdóttir, Reykjavík Arts Festival; and Biljana Zdravkovic, Serbian Festivals Association. The meeting continued the standing tradition of close dialogue between EFA and the European Commission. Previous meetings with Commissioner Vassiliou took place in 2010 and 2012, and were preceded by several meetings with her predecessor Jan Figel’. This dialogue with the European Commission will be continued to further discuss the proposals and their implementation. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/EFAStatement_CultureCombatsCuts.pdf]Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013" target="_blank">full statement is available on the EFA website" target="_blank"> On 12 February 2013 the European Festivals Association (EFA) and Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, invited 18 directors of major European festivals for the annual round table "Arts Festivals meet EU Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou". At this occasion, participating festival leaders launched a joint statement “Culture Combats Cuts”. In the released statement, festival leaders and the European Festivals Association call upon the Members of the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission to maintain the EU budget 2014-2020 for culture under the heading ‘citizenship and security’ at the level proposed by the European Commission. Furthermore, they agreed to address MEPs to include strong statements on culture in their parties’ manifestos in the run-up to the European Parliament elections 2014; to work together with the cultural sector and the European institutions towards a ‘European Resolution for Culture’ and to dedicate activities in their festival programme to raising awareness about Europe towards citizens. In light of the 2013 European Year of Citizens festival leaders committed to engage their artists, audiences and intellectuals in a debate with politicians on the future of Europe. “Our festivals will dedicate part of the discourses we hold to the overall aim of agreeing on tangible commitments for actions that contribute to a citizens’ Europe,” stressed EFA President Darko Brlek. Commissioner Vassiliou welcomed EFA’s continued engagement for the common aims to build a strong Europe of citizens: “Festivals have a unique mission in our joint effort to shape a 'new narrative for Europe'.” She acknowledged the role that arts and culture in general and festivals in particular can play in processes of democracy and integration, especially when aiming at citizens’ participation in reference to the European institutional developments in 2014. She stressed that in times of austerity, this type of engagement is needed to keep culture on the agenda and in the budget. “It is time to establish a new understanding of the power that the arts have on citizens,” urged Jonathan Mills, Director Edinburgh International Festival. “We need to develop a new value system that addresses the impact of the arts in public space, a vocabulary that goes beyond the economic impact,” said Bernard Foccroulle, Director General Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. As a network for festivals across Europe and beyond, EFA promotes festivals’ significance and their important role in international cultural cooperation; underlines the state of art in society; sets common policy; and acts prominently in the wider political debate. Against this background, the released statement confirms the commitment of EFA and its members for a cultural Europe, a Europe of citizens. The [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/1420/Culture%20Combats%20Cuts%3a%20Statement%20of%20festival%20leaders%20and%20EFA%20%E2%80%93%20Brussels-Belgium%2c%2012%20February%202013/]full statement is available on the EFA website. It was the third round table since the Commissioner took office. In 2013, the following festivals were represented: Airan Berg, Mannheim 2020; Jan Briers, Federation Music Festivals Flanders; Darko Brlek, Festival Ljubljana; Constantin Chiriac, Sibiu International Theatre Festival; Hugo De Greef, European House for Culture; Jelle Dierickx, Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival; Paul Dujardin, BOZAR; Bernard Foccroulle, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence; Guy Gypens, Kaaitheater; Andrzej Kosendiak, International Festival Wratislavia Cantans; Massimo Mercelli, Emilia Romagna Festival; Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival; Piñeiro Nagy, Estoril Festival/Estoril Music Weeks; Thomas Oberender, Berliner Festspiele; Virginie Puff, Festival d'Automne à Paris; Bosko Radojkovic, Belgrade Music Festival; Hanna Styrmisdóttir, Reykjavík Arts Festival; and Biljana Zdravkovic, Serbian Festivals Association. The meeting continued the standing tradition of close dialogue between EFA and the European Commission. Previous meetings with Commissioner Vassiliou took place in 2010 and 2012, and were preceded by several meetings with her predecessor Jan Figel’. This dialogue with the European Commission will be continued to further discuss the proposals and their implementation. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/EFAStatement_CultureCombatsCuts.pdf]Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013 • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/130218_EFA_Press_Release_MeetingCommissionerVassiliou.pdf]Press Release; Brussels, 18 February 2013 • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/gallery/pictures/150/Arts%20Festivals%20meet%20EU%20Commissioner%20Androulla%20Vassiliou/]Photo Gallery • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/1201/Round%20Table%3a%20Festivals%20meet%20Commissioner%20Androulla%20Vassiliou/]2012 Round Table with Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou - Brussels/Belgium, 26 January 2012 • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/1016/Round%20Table%3a%20EFA%2c%20festivals%20and%20Commissioner%20Androulla%20Vassiliou%20-%20Brussels%2c%2020%20October%202010/]2010 Round Table with Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou - Brussels, 20 October 2010" target="_blank">Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013 • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/130218_EFA_Press_Release_MeetingCommissionerVassiliou.pdf]Press Release; Brussels, 18 February 2013" target="_blank">full statement is available on the EFA website. It was the third round table since the Commissioner took office. In 2013, the following festivals were represented: Airan Berg, Mannheim 2020; Jan Briers, Federation Music Festivals Flanders; Darko Brlek, Festival Ljubljana; Constantin Chiriac, Sibiu International Theatre Festival; Hugo De Greef, European House for Culture; Jelle Dierickx, Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival; Paul Dujardin, BOZAR; Bernard Foccroulle, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence; Guy Gypens, Kaaitheater; Andrzej Kosendiak, International Festival Wratislavia Cantans; Massimo Mercelli, Emilia Romagna Festival; Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival; Piñeiro Nagy, Estoril Festival/Estoril Music Weeks; Thomas Oberender, Berliner Festspiele; Virginie Puff, Festival d'Automne à Paris; Bosko Radojkovic, Belgrade Music Festival; Hanna Styrmisdóttir, Reykjavík Arts Festival; and Biljana Zdravkovic, Serbian Festivals Association. The meeting continued the standing tradition of close dialogue between EFA and the European Commission. Previous meetings with Commissioner Vassiliou took place in 2010 and 2012, and were preceded by several meetings with her predecessor Jan Figel’. This dialogue with the European Commission will be continued to further discuss the proposals and their implementation. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/EFAStatement_CultureCombatsCuts.pdf]Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013" target="_blank">full statement is available on the EFA website" target="_blank"> On 12 February 2013 the European Festivals Association (EFA) and Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, invited 18 directors of major European festivals for the annual round table "Arts Festivals meet EU Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou". At this occasion, participating festival leaders launched a joint statement “Culture Combats Cuts”. In the released statement, festival leaders and the European Festivals Association call upon the Members of the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission to maintain the EU budget 2014-2020 for culture under the heading ‘citizenship and security’ at the level proposed by the European Commission. Furthermore, they agreed to address MEPs to include strong statements on culture in their parties’ manifestos in the run-up to the European Parliament elections 2014; to work together with the cultural sector and the European institutions towards a ‘European Resolution for Culture’ and to dedicate activities in their festival programme to raising awareness about Europe towards citizens. In light of the 2013 European Year of Citizens festival leaders committed to engage their artists, audiences and intellectuals in a debate with politicians on the future of Europe. “Our festivals will dedicate part of the discourses we hold to the overall aim of agreeing on tangible commitments for actions that contribute to a citizens’ Europe,” stressed EFA President Darko Brlek. Commissioner Vassiliou welcomed EFA’s continued engagement for the common aims to build a strong Europe of citizens: “Festivals have a unique mission in our joint effort to shape a 'new narrative for Europe'.” She acknowledged the role that arts and culture in general and festivals in particular can play in processes of democracy and integration, especially when aiming at citizens’ participation in reference to the European institutional developments in 2014. She stressed that in times of austerity, this type of engagement is needed to keep culture on the agenda and in the budget. “It is time to establish a new understanding of the power that the arts have on citizens,” urged Jonathan Mills, Director Edinburgh International Festival. “We need to develop a new value system that addresses the impact of the arts in public space, a vocabulary that goes beyond the economic impact,” said Bernard Foccroulle, Director General Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. As a network for festivals across Europe and beyond, EFA promotes festivals’ significance and their important role in international cultural cooperation; underlines the state of art in society; sets common policy; and acts prominently in the wider political debate. Against this background, the released statement confirms the commitment of EFA and its members for a cultural Europe, a Europe of citizens. The [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/1420/Culture%20Combats%20Cuts%3a%20Statement%20of%20festival%20leaders%20and%20EFA%20%E2%80%93%20Brussels-Belgium%2c%2012%20February%202013/]full statement is available on the EFA website. It was the third round table since the Commissioner took office. In 2013, the following festivals were represented: Airan Berg, Mannheim 2020; Jan Briers, Federation Music Festivals Flanders; Darko Brlek, Festival Ljubljana; Constantin Chiriac, Sibiu International Theatre Festival; Hugo De Greef, European House for Culture; Jelle Dierickx, Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival; Paul Dujardin, BOZAR; Bernard Foccroulle, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence; Guy Gypens, Kaaitheater; Andrzej Kosendiak, International Festival Wratislavia Cantans; Massimo Mercelli, Emilia Romagna Festival; Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival; Piñeiro Nagy, Estoril Festival/Estoril Music Weeks; Thomas Oberender, Berliner Festspiele; Virginie Puff, Festival d'Automne à Paris; Bosko Radojkovic, Belgrade Music Festival; Hanna Styrmisdóttir, Reykjavík Arts Festival; and Biljana Zdravkovic, Serbian Festivals Association. The meeting continued the standing tradition of close dialogue between EFA and the European Commission. Previous meetings with Commissioner Vassiliou took place in 2010 and 2012, and were preceded by several meetings with her predecessor Jan Figel’. This dialogue with the European Commission will be continued to further discuss the proposals and their implementation. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/EFAStatement_CultureCombatsCuts.pdf]Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013 • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/130218_EFA_Press_Release_MeetingCommissionerVassiliou.pdf]Press Release; Brussels, 18 February 2013 • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/gallery/pictures/150/Arts%20Festivals%20meet%20EU%20Commissioner%20Androulla%20Vassiliou/]Photo Gallery" target="_blank">Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013" target="_blank">full statement is available on the EFA website" target="_blank"> On 12 February 2013 the European Festivals Association (EFA) and Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, invited 18 directors of major European festivals for the annual round table "Arts Festivals meet EU Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou". At this occasion, participating festival leaders launched a joint statement “Culture Combats Cuts”. In the released statement, festival leaders and the European Festivals Association call upon the Members of the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission to maintain the EU budget 2014-2020 for culture under the heading ‘citizenship and security’ at the level proposed by the European Commission. Furthermore, they agreed to address MEPs to include strong statements on culture in their parties’ manifestos in the run-up to the European Parliament elections 2014; to work together with the cultural sector and the European institutions towards a ‘European Resolution for Culture’ and to dedicate activities in their festival programme to raising awareness about Europe towards citizens. In light of the 2013 European Year of Citizens festival leaders committed to engage their artists, audiences and intellectuals in a debate with politicians on the future of Europe. “Our festivals will dedicate part of the discourses we hold to the overall aim of agreeing on tangible commitments for actions that contribute to a citizens’ Europe,” stressed EFA President Darko Brlek. Commissioner Vassiliou welcomed EFA’s continued engagement for the common aims to build a strong Europe of citizens: “Festivals have a unique mission in our joint effort to shape a 'new narrative for Europe'.” She acknowledged the role that arts and culture in general and festivals in particular can play in processes of democracy and integration, especially when aiming at citizens’ participation in reference to the European institutional developments in 2014. She stressed that in times of austerity, this type of engagement is needed to keep culture on the agenda and in the budget. “It is time to establish a new understanding of the power that the arts have on citizens,” urged Jonathan Mills, Director Edinburgh International Festival. “We need to develop a new value system that addresses the impact of the arts in public space, a vocabulary that goes beyond the economic impact,” said Bernard Foccroulle, Director General Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. As a network for festivals across Europe and beyond, EFA promotes festivals’ significance and their important role in international cultural cooperation; underlines the state of art in society; sets common policy; and acts prominently in the wider political debate. Against this background, the released statement confirms the commitment of EFA and its members for a cultural Europe, a Europe of citizens. The [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/1420/Culture%20Combats%20Cuts%3a%20Statement%20of%20festival%20leaders%20and%20EFA%20%E2%80%93%20Brussels-Belgium%2c%2012%20February%202013/]full statement is available on the EFA website. It was the third round table since the Commissioner took office. In 2013, the following festivals were represented: Airan Berg, Mannheim 2020; Jan Briers, Federation Music Festivals Flanders; Darko Brlek, Festival Ljubljana; Constantin Chiriac, Sibiu International Theatre Festival; Hugo De Greef, European House for Culture; Jelle Dierickx, Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival; Paul Dujardin, BOZAR; Bernard Foccroulle, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence; Guy Gypens, Kaaitheater; Andrzej Kosendiak, International Festival Wratislavia Cantans; Massimo Mercelli, Emilia Romagna Festival; Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival; Piñeiro Nagy, Estoril Festival/Estoril Music Weeks; Thomas Oberender, Berliner Festspiele; Virginie Puff, Festival d'Automne à Paris; Bosko Radojkovic, Belgrade Music Festival; Hanna Styrmisdóttir, Reykjavík Arts Festival; and Biljana Zdravkovic, Serbian Festivals Association. The meeting continued the standing tradition of close dialogue between EFA and the European Commission. Previous meetings with Commissioner Vassiliou took place in 2010 and 2012, and were preceded by several meetings with her predecessor Jan Figel’. This dialogue with the European Commission will be continued to further discuss the proposals and their implementation. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/EFAStatement_CultureCombatsCuts.pdf]Culture Combats Cuts: Statement of festival leaders and the European Festivals Association (EFA) on the budget agreement by the European Council on 8 February 2013 • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/18/130218_EFA_Press_Release_MeetingCommissionerVassiliou.pdf]Press Release; Brussels, 18 February 2013" target="_blank">full statement is available on the EFA website. It was the third round table since the Commissioner took office. In 2013, the following festivals were represented: Airan Berg, Mannheim 2020; Jan Briers, Federation Music Festivals Flanders; Darko Brlek, Festival Ljubljana; Constantin Chiriac, Sibiu International Theatre Festival; Hugo De Greef, European House for Culture; Jelle Dierickx, Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival; Paul Dujardin, BOZA