We are delighted to announce that our first EFA INFO BOX is on its way to you. The EFA Secretariat intends to send this EFA INFO BOX regularly to all our members in order to provide you with up-to-date-information about some international cultural discussions and issues. In addition to two information brochures about the European Union’s cultural policy and funding opportunities edited by the European Union, the EFA INFO BOX contains two recent and very interesting research studies on European cultural policies published respectively by the European Forum for the Arts and Heritage (EFAH)/Région Nord Pas de Calais: “Culture and European regions – Preliminary research into regional cultural policy” and by the European Cultural Foundation (ECF): “On the road to a cultural policy for Europe – Sharing cultures”, both networks - EFAH and ECF - among the key-players in the European cultural debate. As you already know, the European Festivals Association intends to play a major role in this European cultural debate. It seems essential for us to involve our members as much as possible in this process. In this respect, not only the EFA Newsletter but also these two publications are aimed at informing you about major challenges of European cultural policies. Last but not least, we are sending you a small booklet about Brno, Czech Republic, where the Brno International Music Festival will welcome us to the next EFA General Meeting from 7 to 9 October 2005. This booklet already helps you to learn a little bit more about this fascinating city. If you have any publications, CDs, CD ROMs or DVDs which you consider interesting to provide your colleagues with, please let us know. We would be most pleased to spread them amongst all EFA members in one of our next EFA INFO BOXES. Hoping that you enjoy our first INFO BOX, the EFA Secretariat sends you its season’s greetings!