Welcoming new festivals into EFA’s community
On 4 December 2025, EFA Members gathered online for the final Catch Up of the year, a moment where candidate members present their festivals to the network ahead of their official admission at the members' General Assembly in the framework of the Arts Festivals Summit 2026 in Budva, Montenegro.
EFA organises two Catch Up meetings a year for EFA Members and its larger festival community to meet new colleagues, discover their varied artistic approaches, and learn about the festivals joining the network.
These moments connect festival makers throughout the year and give new candidates the chance to introduce their vision, context and ideas directly to peers.
This time brought together a remarkably diverse group of festivals, spanning classical and contemporary music, opera, theatre, multidisciplinary forms, smaller to larger indoor and outdoor events:
- Body & Soul (Belgium)
- Concertgebouw Brugge (Belgium)
- Festival delle Nazioni (Italy)
- Ibiza Conciertos (Spain)
- KLANG! Électroacoustique (France)
- Klassisk i Sentrum (Norway)
- Noorderzon Festival (Netherlands)
- Piccolo Opera Festival (Italy)
- Prague German Speaking Theatre Festival (Czechia)
- Sacrum Profanum Festival (Poland)
- Theatre World Festival Brno (Czechia)
The meeting ended with a first preview of the Arts Festivals Summit 2026, which will take place from 16 to 19 May in Budva, Montenegro, hosted by Theatre City Budva. Our host shared what awaits next year: a unique location, practical information for travel and stay, and an early look at what the Summit will highlight.
The EFA Board, team and members wish a warm welcome to all festivals that presented themselves, and thanks to all the people who joined online that day.