The European Festivals Association (EFA) wishes the Arterial Network success in its future activities. The Pan-African network of artists, cultural activists, creative enterprises and others engaged in the African creative sector, celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2012. EFA and the Arterial Network join forces when the European festivals network celebrates its own Jubilee in 2012 under the motto "60 Years On: Festivals and the World". The Arterial Network has immensely contributed to the set up of an African Festivals Network - AFRIFESTNET - with the launch to take place from 19-21 April in Accra, Ghana. At the founding conference of the Arterial Network in March 2007 under the banner “Revitalising Africa’s Cultural Assets”, delegates from 14 African countries identified the lack of information, poor government policy and institutional frameworks, weak civil society structures, the marginalisation of artists and the arts, an absence of funding and a dearth of leadership as among the key challenges confronting the African creative sector. Taking responsibility to improve the situation, the Arterial Network was born as a civil society network owned, directed and managed by African creative practitioners, arts administrators and cultural entrepreneurs. Thanks to a broad international partnership, the Arterial Network has been able to respond to many of the challenges identified at its founding conference. The European Festivals Association is delighted about its close relationship with the network in making the voices of festivals heard across continents. We share the belief that enhancing collaboration between European and African Festivals is vital to global artistic exchanges. EFA supports the Arterial Network in its commitment to meeting the numerous challenges that still face the sector in its quest to develop the arts in their own right, but also as means to contribute to the eradication of poverty, to human rights and to democracy on the continent. Furthermore, EFA is looking forward to strengthening this partnership at the occasion of the launch of AFRIFESTNET. It will comprise festivals and events in theatre, music, dance, film, literature, visual arts, heritage as well as multidisciplinary events. Last but not least, EFA is proud to welcome the Arterial Network at its Diamond Jubilee in Bergen/Norway (23-25 May 2012), represented by Secretary General Mike Van Graan, as well as the Grahamstown National Arts Festival and young festival directors who participated in previous editions of EFA’s Atelier for Young Festival Managers. The Jubilee will bring together EFA members, festivals worldwide, partner networks, friends and colleagues from the wider cultural and professional community to celebrate, commemorate and in particular reflect on the present and future of arts festivals in the world. Under the motto “60 Years On: Festivals and the World”, we look at the responsibility of festivals today to help shape the world tomorrow. There is still so much to be done and we are looking forward to continuing joining forces. Happy birthday!