The world-class reputation of Adelaide as Festival City has been recognised on an international level with an invitation to join the inaugural International Festivals City Network.
The invitation took place at a two-day programme of meetings, workshops and presentations between Festivals Adelaide, the alliance of 10 unique arts festivals in Adelaide – and other international festival cities representatives at the 2015 Edinburgh Festival.
As the only Australian festival city represented in the group, Adelaide will join elite company alongside Barcelona, Krakow, Montreal, Berlin and Edinburgh in the world’s first formalised network of Festival Cities.
Festivals Adelaide Executive Officer, Christie Anthoney said this is not only a significant recognition of Adelaide’s international reputation for festivals but also a historic opportunity for the state.
“Festivals are a growing cultural phenomena that create and cultivate considerable cultural, social and economic benefits and each festival location in this network has its own unique set of issues to deal with to maintain their status as world leaders,” said Ms Anthoney.
“It’s clear that, as festival cities, we also all share similar challenges that can be explored through a common framework and this is a major part of what this network will be about. With a group featuring representatives of some of the world’s greatest festival cities, the potential benefits in collaborating and sharing ideas with such esteemed company is very exciting for Adelaide.”
The inclusion of Adelaide in the International Festival City Network, follows a recent study confirming the city’s status as Australia’s leading Festival City at the box office. Data from Live Performance Australia shows that Adelaide outperforms all other States combined with ticket sales for festivals.
For more information, visit: www.festivalsadelaide.com.au for details.
Image: Adelaide Fringe Parade – courtesy of Festivals Adelaide and Adelaide Fringe