Contribute to 'About Europe': A Conversation on Europe through arts and culture
What does Europe mean to us today ? What could it become tomorrow? ‘About Europe’ brings together voices from across the cultural, artistic and political landscape to explore these questions, open new conversations and invite everyone to take part. Discover how you can contribute.
Europe is under continual construction. Surely, so are the relations between arts and politics.
On the occasion of EFA’s Round Table on 3 February 2026 with EU Commissioner for Culture Glenn Micallef, artists, festivals and cities committed to offer their visions, their spaces, their stages and their audiences to speak and listen, between arts and politics, 'About Europe', its responsibility in the world, and the need to use the power of the arts more efficiently.
'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.
‘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.
With this initiative, EFA puts the spirit of EFFE-Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe- and The Culture Compass for Europe -Europe for Culture, Culture for Europe - into action, a spirit we have been working on for over 70 years.
Participate
Everyone is invited to join the conversation! People and organisations across sectors, backgrounds and geographies are welcome to take part. Whether you want to share your perspective, spark a discussion or bring ‘About Europe’ to your own community, there are many ways to take part and resources are already available to help you get started.
You can share a short reflection, a longer piece, a video or a public discussion, respond to another contribution, or start a project online or in your community. There is no selection process and no single way to participate. Contributions can be submitted through the About Europe contact form or by email to email hidden; JavaScript is required.
You can also help the conversation grow by sharing ‘About Europe’ with others or using the materials available on the website to start conversations of your own. Toolkits, conversation starters, visuals and other ready-to-use resources are available on the Participate page, making it easy to bring the initiative into your own networks and communities.
A growing mosaic of voices
The contributions to ‘About Europe’ bring together a wide range of voices, disciplines and perspectives. With more than 40 contributions already available on the website, the conversation continues to grow. Here are just a few examples:
- Akram Khan, choreographer and dancer, reflects on the power of art and culture to create empathy, courage and expression.
- Jordi Savall, viol player and conductor, explores how music and festivals can connect people across borders and bring Europe’s shared heritage to life.
- Milo Rau, theatre director and artistic director of Wiener Festwochen, highlights the importance of artistic freedom and its role in protecting European democracy.
- Wim Wenders, screenwriter, director and author, reflects on how the arts can help Europe rediscover its cultural diversity, stories and sense of belonging.
- Doris Pack, former Member of the European Parliament, underlines the need for a strong European cultural policy that fosters dialogue while respecting Europe’s diversity.
- Serge Aimé Coulibaly, dancer and choreographer, sees Europe’s diversity as one of its greatest strengths and describes it as a place of freedom and protection for artists.
Together, these are just a few of the many perspectives that make up the ‘About Europe’ conversation. Explore the contributions page to discover more than 40 voices and perspectives on Europe as it is today and the Europe of tomorrow.