Edinburgh International Festival Receives Special Award

The International Jury of EFFE - Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe - has awarded the Edinburgh International Festival its EFFE Award for 2017-2018.

The International Festival received the special award in recognition of its continued reinvention and inspiration to the arts and festivals world, as it celebrates its 70th anniversary.

The award was presented to International Festival Chairman Professor Niall Lothian at the Arts Festivals Salon 2017 in Brussels, a two day symposium organised by the European Festivals Association which celebrates the role of festivals in society.

In July 2017, the European Festivals Association revealed its EFFE Laureates 2017, 26 festivals including the International Festival, highlighted from amongst 715 EFFE affiliate members. The Laureates were chosen for their exceptional quality, work, commitment and impact within their contexts and territories.

The European Festivals Association was established in 1951 to bring together festivals in an effort to create dialogue, trust, friendship and collaborations across borders. Its founding mission to foster intercultural understanding and internationAl Cooperation through exchange of art, ideas and experience, echoes the founding principles of the International Festival, established 70 years ago to 'provide a platform for the flowering of the human spirit' through a shared celebration of artistic excellence and cultural exchange.

International Festival Chairman Prof Niall Lothian said: 'The Edinburgh International Festival is a gathering of people and a celebration of international accord. We are proud to be members of the European Festivals Association and the EFFE Label, both of which are great examples of the power and impact of international collaboration, learning and cooperation. The EFFE label is an important recognition of the role that festivals play in their communities, in their countries as well as internationally. The International Festival is proud to contribute to this rich exchange with colleagues from across Europe and around the world. It is a great honour to receive this award, and our grateful thanks goes to the jury and the EFFE'.