During a meeting on 13 September 2009, the European Festivals Association (EFA) delivered a commitment declaration to Mr Ján Figel’, European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth. Festival director from all over Europe committed to their continued engagement for a cultural Europe also during the next European Commission term. The meeting took place at the occasion of Linz – European Capital of Culture 2009 and the opening of the Brucknerfest Linz 2009. “EFA today thanks Mr Figel’ for his steady and strong support! We underline at the same time festivals’ readiness to provide open and international platforms for artists to create and for audiences to access culture also in the next five years and beyond,” underlines EFA President Darko Brlek. A Declaration of Commitment to confirm festivals’ engagement for a cultural Europe also in the future is signed by all present festivals and cultural representatives. “Ambitious objectives need strong and sustainable partnerships! EFA and its members are signalising to the future EU Culture Commissioner to continue to stand up strongly for culture and recognise the role of arts, artists and arts festivals in the European integration process,” stresses EFA Secretary General Kathrin Deventer. With the aim to establish a sustainable cultural infrastructure and to leave a lasting impact on the city’s long-term cultural, economic and social development, Martin Heller, Artistic Director Linz – European Capital of Culture 2009 (www.linz09.at), echoes this view. 20 directors from major European festivals and cultural organisations participated in the gathering, among them: Brno International Music Festival, Concentus Moraviae Festival, ECPNM, Estoril Music Weeks, European Composers’ Forum, Reykjavik Arts Festival, Festival De Musica De Canarias, Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada, Festival Mitte Europa, Brucknerhaus Linz, Ars Electronica Festival Linz, Festspiele Europaïsche Wochen Passau, Innsbruck Festival of Early Music, Ljubljana Festival, Norway Festivals, Rheingau Musik Festival, Schleswig Hollstein Musik Festival and Settimane Musicali al Teatro Olimpico (Vicenza). Since its move from Geneva to Belgium in 2004, the European Festivals Association has developed various projects that reflect the believe that Europe is first and foremost a cultural project: the EFA BOOKS series, the European Atelier for Young Festival Managers, the European House for Culture, the FestLab for Creativity and Innovation – all highlight culture and arts as catalysts for the innovative and creative development of a European society. Download here the Commitment