European Festivals Association (EFA)
Background
The European Festivals Association was founded in Geneva in 1952 on the joint initiative of eminent conductor Igor Markewitch and philosopher Denis de Rougemont, with 15 festivals making up the core (Aix-en-Provence, Bayreuth, Berlin, Besançon, Bordeaux, Florence, Holland, Lucerne, Munich, Perugia, Strasbourg, Venice, Vienna, Wiesbaden and Zurich). The founders were deeply engaged in the quality and the social responsibility of festivals. Denis de Rougemont insisted on the urgent need for cultural integration of Europe as expressed in the words believed to be said by Jean Monnet: 'If it were to be done over again, I'd start with culture'.
The Association runs a lively EFA website in English and French.
See also