The European Festivals Association (EFA) has been in Yerevan from 11 till 15 September 2022 for its 70th Anniversary Arts Festivals Summit. Our EFA Member, the Yerevan Perspectives International Music Festival, hosted EFA’s annual event in the Armenian capital.

It was in those days in September 2022, when hostilities erupted nearby the Azerbaijani border (affecting the towns of Jermuk, Goris, Kapan, etc.). The conflict follows the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War that broke out in September 2020 and “finished” end of November 2020.

EFA wishes to express its support and sympathy to those suffering from this conflict.
It was the first visit to Armenia for a large majority of the delegates, who were impressed by the history, the culture, the food, wine, and above all by the warm welcome of the Armenians. The local political situation has arisen a strong emotional connection with the country.
Peace is important for each country, each region, each continent. People shouldn’t be obliged to leave their homes and family to flee a conlict.

Bringing awareness is a very first important step to stop conflicts. We hope that peace will prevail, through the support and development of Arts and Culture worldwide and, most of all, where it’s most needed.

EFA was created in 1952 in a post-World War context, in the hope that the arts and festivals could promote peace, dialogue, reconciliation and cooperation among countries. To this day, we’ve always tried to pursue this goal as best as we could and we will continue to do whatever we can to promote those values, whether it be in our work or with our numerous members and partners worldwide. 

In these days when EFA is preparing its next Summit in Peralada/Girona, Spain in April 2023, we are thinking of our Armenian friends and hope for peace soon.