Over the past years, IFEA Europe has developed strong ties with other pan-European networks such as Culture Action Europe (formerly European Foundation for Arts and Heritage), and the European Festival Association. We also maintain contact with networks such as the IETM and NOEA. Although aims and undertakings of these organisations vary greatly, we find that there is great benefit to sharing experiences, organisational practices, and concrete knowledge about our niches in the cultural sector in Europe. During the fall, 2008, IFEA Europe will seek to expand cooperation with some of these networks, leading to a more comprehensive sharing with our member of European financial and organisational practices in the cultural sector at the IFEA Europe 2009 Annual Conference.

• »  Email This Post | Comments (0)

These days, media across Europe report on the effects of a world-wide recession caused by (or leading to) falling real estate prices, increasing fuel prices and higher interest rates. In such times, it would be easy to assume that the leisure industry is also affected, as people may travel less and have fewer discretionary funds available for entertainment.Yet, one might also find arguments for exactly the opposite, namely that a time of recession is actually when the entertainment industry thrives, since people seek comfort in the social bonds nurtured by time spent with peers in theatres, at the movies, at concerts and at festivals. If this is true, our industry might have great times ahead.

Is there any such thing as an “objective truth” about the current state of affairs of IFEA members and other festival organisers? It would be my guess that different cultures have different reactions to national and international recession. It would also be my guess that certain festivals in certain countries - because of their magnitude and their nature of constituting annual “traditions” in certain communities - might be less affected than more permanent entertainment offers such as theatre or outdoor leisure parks. It would also be my guess that other festivals of less “important” nature to their host communities may be experiencing the same kind of difficulties as boutiques selling luxury goods, as people in general are opting to spend less money on items they can do without.

But what is your opinion? In IFEA, we’d be curious to know about our members’ situation, and find out how you are dealing with recession, if at all. Do you reposition your event; make programming cuts, look for new audiences, or offer extra discounts? Or is it just business-as-usual?

Please send any thoughts that you would like to share with your colleagues should be sent to news {at} ifeaeurope(.)com.

• »  Email This Post | Comments (0)

IFEA Europe is currently working with BKIS, Bratislava Culture and Information Center, to realize the 2009 IFEA Europe Annual Conference in Bratislava, Slovakia, in March, 2009. The official announcement and further information about the 2009 conference will be sent to members shortly.

• »  Email This Post | Comments (0)

Report from the 2008 “Behind-the-Scenes”The 2008 IFEA Europe “Behind-the-Scenes” took place in Borlänge, Sweden, at the end of June. For the attending IFEA members, it became a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience, as IFEA Board member Maria Anderberg of “Kulturproduktionen” guided the group, quite literately, through the gorgeous Swedish landscape for meetings both with the dedicated idealist behind the “Peace & Love” Festival and the organisers of the nearby “Tällberg Forum”. The Peace and Love festival is an idealistic project featuring workshops and exhibitions, alternative theatre and eight downtown stages with all sorts of rock/pop/metal music, and has in a few years grown to be Sweden’s largest festival of its nature, attracting thousands of young people who by looks and attitudes are clearly the modern day Woodstock generation, driven by a desire to bring - as the name of the festival implies - peace and love each other and the world. The logistics behind this city center festival were amazing, as was - or is - the festival’s concern for the environment, and for ensuring a peaceful and friendly relationship with the permanent residents of Borlänge’s downtown area. How many other festivals do you know who actually offer older downtown residents a free weekend in the countryside, in case they don’t want to stay in town in midst of all the concerts?

Visiting the Tällberg Forum was a contrasting experience. Situated on a beautiful hillside at the eastern shore of the Siljan Lake, Tällberg has become host to an annual summer gathering of hundreds of politicians, scientists, and leaders in international industries and organisations. The means might be different, but the goals are, essentially, the same as those of the festival in Borlänge on fifty-some kilometers away; to advance fruitful and peaceful dialogue and cooperation - or, if you will, to bring peace and love to the world.

One may wonder if the music festival or the dialogue event is the most successful in achieving this goal. Lots may result from a currently non-existing cooperation between the two events. But both a amazing events in their own right, and I am sure that they both make the world is a better place.

For the members of IFEA Europe, visiting both events was most inspiring. Thank you, Maria!

• »  Email This Post | Comments (0)

Okay the global focus has been rather on the economic crisis in some countries recently and the effects on our industry. But arts organizations (including festivals?) also need to worry about something else that is threatening the sustainability of many organizations and that is the recent culture change.During an Arts Marketing Summit by the Australian Arts Council, Keynote speaker Diane Ragsdale (Andrew Melton Foundation, USA) gave an interesting insight in what is going on and suggests a few strategies to survive the change.

A complete podcast of her Keynote can be found at fuel4arts.com, but you might wish to start with the commentary on her Keynote by Simon Wellington (Urban Theatre Projects) who also gives a great summary of her presentation.

The PDF handout by Diana Ragsdale gives you the text of her complete Keynote including valuable references to literature and related research.

Go to the links fuel4arts.com for the downloadable PDF’s and Podcast.

• »  Email This Post | Comments (0)

TV channel France 24 has published a short list of ten recommended festivals both in France and abroad. Links on their list go to TV news reports about these festivals on their website.

The lucky festivals are:

• Garden festival of Chaumont-sur-Loire, France

• Forde’s Folk Music Fest, Norway

• Festival of Avignon, France

• Musilac festival, France
  

• Arles Photography Festival, France

• Jordan Festival, Jordan

• Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland

• The Jazz in Marciac Festival, France

• Saint-Céré Festival, France

• The Vezelay Festival, France

• »  Email This Post | Comments (0)