ABOUT europe

‘About Europe’ is an initiative of the European Festivals Association (EFA), joined by actors from both the artistic and policy spheres. It is an open invitation to all arts and cultural organisations, networks, policymakers and citizens who wish to contribute, exchange perspectives, or engage in public reflection on Europe: as a continent, as a political entity, as a voice in the world and as a cultural society.

EFA has spent nearly 75 years now connecting festivals, artists, cities and regions across Europe and beyond. Founded in 1952 with the conviction that the arts and festivals could help rebuild a peaceful, connected Europe, EFA has grown from 15 founding festivals into a community of around 100 members and a wider ecosystem of more than 4,000 festivals across all artistic disciplines in over 40 countries. EFA operates through a decentralised network of hubs and partners that can activate dialogue at local, regional, national and European levels.

From its very beginning, EFA has understood festivals not only as artistic platforms, but as places of encounter, dialogue and European connection, deeply rooted in local realities while inherently cross-border. Long before Europe became a political project of integration, festivals had already been working across borders, cultures and languages. This places EFA—and its members—in a position of intrinsic responsibility towards Europe and Europe in the world, its values, and its future.

‘About Europe’ is a natural continuation of EFA’s mission: to offer platforms where arts, politics and citizens can meet; to invite shared responsibility for Europe’s future; and to respond to Denis de Rougemont’s founding call that there is “still so much to be done” to fulfil the tasks of culture, arts, festivals and dialogue in Europe. 

Over the decades, EFA has evolved in dialogue with festivals, artists, cities and regions, and European institutions. Through initiatives such as EFFE – Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe, EFFEA - European Festivals Fund for Emerging Artists, The Festival Academy, Perform Europe or the EFFE Seal for Festival Cities and Regions, EFA has translated European values into concrete action on the ground.