Dr. Herbert Scheibenreif
After a two-year break due to the pandemic, the 11th European Music Forum was held at the Hungarian House of Music in Budapest from June 8-10. For the first time since the Paris Forum 2019, the meeting could take place live again. The European Forum on Music (EFM) is the most important European event in the music industry: as an umbrella organization, the European Music Council (EMC) brings together not only the music councils of the member countries, but also international organizations, festivals, orchestras, radio stations, music schools, etc. With this event EMC celebrated its 50th anniversary.
The music sector has barely recovered from the effects of Covid 19 when it is already facing new challenges: in addition to the consequences of climate change, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused a social, economic and humanitarian crisis in Europe and beyond. In these uncertain times, music has a special task: music remains! Based on common values, music sees itself as a link between people. The 5 Musical Rights of the International Music Council are more important than ever, especially access to music for all and fair remuneration for musical activities.
In his keynote address, Matt Brennan from the University of Glasgow presented various concepts of sustainability. Since the forum took place in Hungary, a neighboring country of Ukraine, a separate session was not only held on the state of music in that country, but also the special situation of Ukrainian musicians in exile was discussed. Another focus was on various aspects of gender justice in music. Other sessions dealt with digitization in music, specifically discussing the opportunities and threats of artificial intelligence, AI, as well as urban and local communities and EU cultural policy.
Forum attendees gained insight into the latest trends, research and applications in these areas, and were able to participate in engaging discussions and workshops led by prominent experts in these fields.
At the annual meeting of the European Music Council on June 10, 2023, the members elected a new board for the next two years. The EMC board consists of seven representatives of the EMC members and decides on the content and the strategic direction.
Audrey Guerre - Chair Michalis Karakatsanis - Vice Chair Niels Græsholm - Treasurer Angharad Cooper
Mila Georgieva Joanna Grotkowska David Zsoldos
The 12th European Forum on Music will be held in Sofia (Bulgaria) in 2024.
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