2017-2018 EFFE labels awarded

The European Festivals Association, Europe for Festivals Festivals for Europe project holder, announced the list of 2017-2018 EFFE label recipients. Following a thorough evaluation carried out by national experts and the European jury, which made the final decision, 46 festivals from across the Western Balkans became a part of a large network of European festivals and holders of EFFE quality label.

Jovanka Visekruna Jankovic, Art Director of the ArtLink Festival, a partner of the European Festivals Association in the project, said that the international jury offered a number of festivals a chance to become a part of a new festival community and thrive in it.

Impressed by festivals’ commitment to European festival movement, not only did the jury recognise the most outstanding festivals in Europe, but also invited them to join the festival movement for peace, solidarity, art, artists and open discussion.

The international jury of the European Festivals Association explained the criteria applied in deciding the holders of 2017-2018 EFFE label:

“The EFFE label is committed to ethical generosity, that is the impalpable aspect of arts in Europe. This year, the jury took an inclusive stand in deciding the EFFE family of festivals, accepting its diversity: from commercial, tourist and artistic to renowned international festivals and amateur efforts, guided by festivals’ commitment to humane and inclusive society. Recognising the fact that the EFFE label would need further focus, the jury is confident of common EFFE goals: embracing and breathing in Europe as an idea of unity, mutual understanding and responsibility towards the world.”

Following an open call to take part in the contest, hundreds of festivals applied and fulfilled the criteria.

The recipients of label offer a wide range of genres and activities to their audiences.

The EFFE label is awarded to the following festivals in Serbia: