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23 August 2018, launch of the Atelier Gothenburg!

23 August 2018

Today, 23 August The Festival Academy (an initiative of the European Festivals Association, EFA) launches the 14th edition of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers, taking place in Gothenburg, Sweden from 23 - 29 August 2018, co-organised with and hosted by Kultur I Väst, the cultural administration of the Region Västra Götaland, in collaboration with Sweden Festivals.   

31 festival managers coming from 23 different countries and regions in the world and all continents gather in Gothenburg for an intense 7-day programme. The programme is focusing on topics raised by the young festival managers and tackles issues as artistic vision, accessibility, sustainability and fundraising, technology, fair international collaborations and the role of festivals in a society in transition, guided by outstanding festival and cultural leaders and activists from across the globe. 

Expert festival managers and cultural leaders taking part in the Atelier are amongst others Christopher Crimes, Consultant/Advisor to [N!A] Project and Eleusis 2021 European Capital of CultureHjalmar Jorge Joffre-Eichhorn, Theatre activist, Theatre of the Oppressed and Playback Theatre, Ruth MacKenzie CBE, Artistic Director Théâtre du Châtelet Paris, Brett Pyper, Associate Professor and Head Wits School of Arts Johannesburg, Oussama Rifahi, Board member Arab Fund for Arts and Culture Beirut. Participants will also meet regional networks as Swedish FestivalsNorway FestivalsFinland Festivals and Nordic Fringe Network. Refugee artists working in ICORN cities and many more will contribute to the debate. The conversation will be facilitated by Mike Van Graan (Founding President African Cultural Policy Network).

Public Opening and Closing 

The Atelier Gothenburg will be launched tonight, Thursday 23rd of August 2018 at 18:00 with a public session at Auktionsverket Kulturarena, where participants, mentors and guests present will be welcomed by:

The Keynote speech will be delivered Ruth MacKenzie CBE, Artistic Director Théâtre du Châtelet Paris. 

The Atelier will close with a public session on Wednesday, 29 August at 19:00 at the City Theatre. 

Latest news and more information on presenters and participants can be found at the www.TheFestivalAcademy.eu as well as on our Facebook and Twitter account.