Annual ESFN meeting
We just returned from the International Shakespeare Festival in Craiova, where on 24th May 2024, we held the annual ESFN meeting to review our activities and discuss future plans. This festival, renowned for being the largest Shakespeare festival in Europe, provided a wonderful backdrop for our discussions and networking.
During the event, our representatives participated in the debate „Festivals (and) Sustainability: Debate Workshop.” This workshop was a significant part of the festival’s program, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices in the organization and execution of cultural events. The debate was expertly moderated by Anna Kowalcze-Pawlik and Nicoleta Cinpoes. The invited participants, including Vlad Drăgulescu, Rostislav Derzhypilskyy, Kelly Hunter, Philip Parr, Joanna Śnieżko-Misterek, and Mihai Țărnă, brought a wealth of knowledge and diverse perspectives to the discussion, making it a highly informative and engaging session.
We were particularly delighted to welcome representatives from the Drama Theatre in Ivano-Frankivsk who are organizing their own Shakespeare festival in June, and it was inspiring to hear about their plans and to discuss potential collaborations. This exchange of ideas and experiences is at the heart of what makes the ESFN meetings so valuable. We also expect Shakespeare Festival in Ivano-Frankivsk to become new ESFN member.
Additionally, we are thrilled to announce that Barcelona is making a comeback on the festival map. We can’t wait to share more details with you soon—stay tuned!
A big thank you to the festival team in Craiova for their exceptional hospitality and for providing such an amazing artistic experience. The dedication and hard work of the organizers ensured that the festival was a resounding success, offering a rich program of performances, workshops, and discussions that celebrated the enduring legacy of Shakespeare.
Our time at the festival was not only productive but also incredibly inspiring. We are looking forward to implementing the ideas and plans discussed during the ESFN meeting and continuing our mission to promote Shakespearean across Europe. Thank you once again to everyone who made this experience so memorable!
Photos by Florin Chirea