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The 25th edition of the Atelier for Young Festival Managers took place from 20-26 November 2025 in Chemnitz (Germany), hosted by the Chemnitz European Capital of Culture 2025 (ECoC).

The Atelier offered the opportunity to 30 young festival leaders and curators from 24 different countries and , all continentsto spend 7 days together guided by experienced festival leaders, cultural activists, cross-sector experts and artists in Chemnitz. The Atelier facilitated a global conversation about today’s challenges and the role that festivals, art and culture can play in these.

The Atelier was about innovating leadership, gaining new perspectives, exploring the essence and impact of festivals in a global context, share and exchange experiences and reflect on the topics that concerned the participants.

The Atelier started from the very essence of festivals –the arts, the artist and the audience– and all issues tackled during the training and in one way or another related to this essence: why we do things, for whom and with whom.

We explored how festivals embody the possibility for creating opportunities for change through culture. Mentors and guest speakers went beyond their role as lecturers and acted as true mentors who provide insightful feedback regarding the participant’s current professional stage. They also shared their experiences and showcased how success and failure can incite growth.