Special EFFE Label 2021 edition - Badge of Invention for arts festivals

The last year has been a demanding mixture of cancellations and reinvention, panic and brilliant creativity, social isolation and new communication, home becoming a goal and freedom from office irritations, fear of other people and longing to be with them, travel possible in theory but rarely in practice.

Through all this festivals have seen their purpose – to bring fine performance live to a specific and special place – turned on its head. Suddenly distance was required, half empty was the best that was allowed, virtual replaced live.

And yet, despite it all, the ability to adapt has triumphed. Festivals have found new and surprising audiences, old patrons have remained loyal and found companionship online. And where physical performances have been possible, the eagerness and joy of those able to attend has shown how worthwhile the efforts have been.

After trauma things are never quite the same again but once the fever has broken a new sense of mission emerges. The European Festivals Association wants to find and celebrate the achievements of festivals in these ferocious times.

This is why we are dedicating a special edition of the EFFE Label 2021 to the Badge of Invention to put festivals in the spotlight and we open this call for festivals' stories.

What are you most proud of in your festival since the beginning of the pandemic? What stands out in the festival's heritage? Could you find unexplored ways of accessing your audience? How have you brought exciting emerging artists to your audience? How will the next few years of the festival, once it (like its audience) has recovered, be different?