The first edition of the 2010 FestFlash series of the European Festivals Association (EFA) puts in the spotlights the new EFA flagship project “Open The Door” – its launch, its first major event – the EFA General Assembly and Conference – as well as a first series of best practices of festivals that “open doors” to arts and culture, artists and audiences. What’s more, EFA Secretary General Kathrin Deventer speaks about the ambitions of the project. At the occasion of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion the European Festivals Association (EFA) launches its 2010 flagship project “Open The Door” (www.Open-The-Door.eu). As in previous European Years, EFA is official partner of the European Union. “Open The Door” invites festivals to invest into and reflect upon the transforming power of arts and culture in our societies today and to commit themselves to raising awareness of societal issues in Europe and beyond. Under the motto “Festivals: Open Doors. Open Minds. Build Societies!” EFA showcases examples that demonstrate the privileged position of festivals to provide the means for everyone to experience culture. The 2010 FestFlash brings news about festivals and their activities implemented in the spirit of the “Open The Door” initiative. In “FestFlash Highlights” of the first edition: the EFA General Assembly and Conference “Open The Door”, the European Early Music Network REMA that launched a Charta at the occasion of the 2010 European Year, the Ars Music Festival that reaches out to citizens from all walks of life, the Cantonigròs Music Festival that is a real-life experience of opening doors, and the Eurothalia Theatre Festival that aims to inspire and provoke creators and spectators. How to commit to “Open The Door” The European Festivals Association invites all arts festivals to commit to the initiative “Open The Door” at the dedicated website: www.Open-The-Door.eu. Festivals who express their commitment are invited to submit their best practice. Download the FestFlash of the European Festivals Association 1 / 2010.