Atelier News #4: "Mutual inspiration in an ideas arena"

Wednesday, 17 October 2012, Ljubljana. The participants of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Ljubljana started their fourth day with a plenary session with Michal Merczinsky, Director of the Malta Festival Poznan, Poland. In-depth discussions in smaller groups followed. In the evening, participants enjoyed different performances. In the session with Michal Merczinsky, some issues which had emerged in the previous days have been reinforced and common agreements were achieved (a festival should be eco-friendly); new questions with less obvious answers have been raised. The participants then focused on how they should keep records of their festivals and how to create and stimulate the best team possible. He also underlined that “a festival is a never ending story”. Participant Gemma Connell, Artistic Director of Broken Rose Performing Arts, reflected on this statement in her blog: “A festival does not end when its doors close for the last time that year, nor does it begin with the opening night party. In the middle of the production for one festival, are the ideas and programming for another; which could follow the year after, or somewhere much further down the line. Thinking ahead is an essential quality of a festival director.” The afternoon was once again dedicated to group discussions. Participant Dina Eldeeb from Culture Resource Egypt shared her impressions: “I am now sitting with a very diverse group of people that share the same passion for arts and culture and believe in the power of cultural activism in inspiring social and political change in the society. Very inspiring personal and professional success stories in festivals have been brought to the table, to enrich our thoughts and enhance our creativity. The inspiration is mutual; for mentors and participants alike. For me, it was truly touching to find out that world class artistic directors would be inspired by a low budget street festival of revolutionary arts in Egypt. The Atelier is not only an opportunity to learn about different festivals around the world and to network with people working on them, but an ideas arena where we can bring out our random thoughts and come up with a clearer vision and objective of what we wish to achieve personally and in the projects we are involved in.” In the evening, participants could choose between different performances: the Munich Philharmonic playing the Golden Brahms at Cankarjev Dom, the play “Reasons to be happy” at the Theatre Glej, and “A day After”, a performance by young Slovenian dancer Veronika Valdes at the Dance theatre Plesni Teater Ljubljana. (Photo (c) Andraz Anzeljc) Related links and documents: • Atelier News #7: "Once an Atelier, always an Atelier" • Atelier News #6: in-depth discussions of the essentials of the previous days • Atelier News #5: Cultural visits, press conference, book launch, boat trip and more • Atelier News #4: "Mutual inspiration in an ideas arena" • Atelier News #3: “Bouncing ideas and streams of creations” • Atelier News #2: Festivals in unusual contexts – a lot of food for thought • Atelier News #1: “Welcome, fools, to our world” • Daily blog by participant Gemma Connell (UK) • Robyn Archer opens Atelier LJUBLJANA 2012: “We are all participants“ • Atelier for Young Festival Managers LJUBLJANA 2011 starts today: Follow online! • Public invited to opening of Atelier LJUBLJANA 2012 with Robyn Archer • Atelier LJUBLJANA 2012: intense exclusive training and high-level public events