From the 2nd to the 3rd Atelier: A success story to be continued!

The next generation of festival managers met an outstanding group of festival experts in Varna/Bulgaria! Initiated by the European Festivals Association (EFA), the second edition of the European Atelier for Young Festival Managers concluded with outstanding results. Hosted by the Varna Summer International Music Festival and organised in partnership with the Varna Municipality, the 2nd edition of the European Atelier welcomed 35 participants from 20 different countries around the world in Varna from 26 April to 3 May. They were guided throughout the week by the four Atelier Mentors - Hugo De Greef (General Director of the Flagey and former EFA Secretary General, Belgium), Bernard Faivre d’Arcier (former Artistic Director of the Avignon Festival, France), Rose Fenton (co-founder of London International Festival of Theatre, UK) and Nele Hertling (Member of the strategy group of A Soul for Europe, Germany) - and met 9 well-experienced festival professionals. Participants shared an exceptionally intense and inspirational week at the Black Sea. “Friendships and professional alliances that will last a lifetime have been forged during the week”, as Atelier Mentor Rose Fenton underlined during the closing session. Following the motto borrowed from Bernard Faivre d’Arcier: “The true role of a festival is to help artists to dare, to engage in new projects...”, different working sessions focused on festival programming. Combined with an inspiring artistic programme, the schedule enabled participants to have in-depth discussions, develop original ideas and find new sources of inspirations for their festival work. Read the daily news report witnessing from inside the Atelier in Varna and have a look at the Atelier photo gallery! A full coverage of speeches, presentations and working sessions is in preparation and will be available soon. The 3rd edition of the European Atelier for Young Festival Managers is to take place from 23 October to 30 October 2011 - hosting city to be confirmed. Registration for the next edition is open! Contact atelier@efa-aef.eu for more information. Download the press release in English, French and German. Download the Call for interest for the 3rd Atelier in English, French and German.