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!