Atelier Beirut 2015
The development of the skills needed by festival managers for the artistic programming of festivals is at the heart of the Atelier. Participants worked in small groups, attended lectures and debates, learnt from case studies and practical activities. Atelier mentors and presenters – all renowned, trailblazing festival managers from all over the world - shared their rich experiences with the participants.
Nora Joumblatt, President of the Beiteddine Art Festival
"The Atelier has been very dynamic. And I thank each and every one from the young participants as well as the valued mentors, for their input, their involvement and their enthousiasm, in making this event a memorable one. I sincerely hope that this Atelier in Beirut has opened new horizons, offered creative perspective and inspire. I hope this incredible international network you are now part of will develop sustainably."
High-level festival managers from across the globe
Under the coordination of Hugo De Greef, leading and experienced festival operators, professionals and artists from all over the world, guided the participants through the seven days. Mentors and presenters, pioneering festival managers, gave lectures, lead workshops and took part in round tables and debates – all of them spendt several days with the participants allowing face-to-face contacts and discussions.
The following festival directors participated in the Atelier Beirut 2015:
- Hortense Archambault (Director MC93 La Maison de la Culture de la Seine Saint-Denis, Bobigny, Former Director Avignon Festival - France)
- Hugo De Greef (Atelier Coordinator, former EFA Secretary General, Director European Capital of Culture Bruges 2002, Co-Founder Kaaitheater Brussels - Belgium)
- Rania Elias (Director Yabous Cultural Centre and Jerusalem Festival - Palestine)
- Bernard Faivre d’Arcier (President Lyon Biennial, former long-standing Artistic Director Avignon Festival - France)
- Nele Hertling (Vice President Academy of Arts Berlin, Member Strategy Group “A Soul for Europe” – Germany)
- Ruth Mackenzie (Director Holland Festival, General Manager Olympic Cultural Festival 2012 – Netherlands/UK)
- Alain Weber (Artistic Director Fes Festival - Morocco)
Stéphane Attali, Director of the “Ecole Supérieure des Affaires
"You, as young festival managers, probably discovered a new facet of this country that looks limitless to those who want to undertake. A country filled with dynamism, in spite of the many obstacles it daily encounters. Your presence here, is the best confirmation."
More insights
Speeches:
- Nora Joumblatt, President Beiteddine Art Festival: Opening Ceremony speech (21 March)
- Darko Brlek, President European Festivals Association: Opening Ceremony speech (21 March)
- Inge Ceustermans, Managing Director The Festival Academy: Opening Ceremony speech (21 March)
- Stéphane Attali, Director “Ecole Supérieure des Affaires”: Closing Ceremony speech (27 March)
- Inge Ceustermans, Managing Director The Festival Academy: Closing Ceremony speech (27 March)
Blog entries on Festival Bytes:
- Carolin Hochleichter, participant: What Pure Beauty – and: all our problems are no problems at all
- Federico Rinaldi, participant: Welcome to Lebanon ovvero, the poetry of an eternal present
- Joshua Dalledonne, participant: Transformed, inspired, rejuvenated
- Ana Zirner, participant: You need people to make a dream happen
- Ana Zirner, participant: Like one immense single breath
- Tomas Kutinjač, participant: Reminiscences from the Atelier Beirut 2015
- Martin Kadinov, participant: A truly remarkable experience
- Ysaline Lannoy, The Festival Academy: Lebanon: The difficulties of being a social megaphone
- Inge Ceustermans, Managing Director The Festival Academy: Re-imagining our future through art
The Atelier Beirut 2015 online
- EFA blog Festival Bytes where Atelier participants shared some first-hand insights
- Atelier on Facebook
- Atelier Beirut photo gallery
- EFA on Twitter – #BEIRUT2015