The European Festivals Research Project (EFRP) invites proposals for its forthcoming research workshop entitled “Artistic festivals with a social and intellectual agenda”. Deadline for subsmission is 1 February!

This research meeting will take place on 24-25 April 2010 in Poznań, Poland in association with the Institute of Cultural Studies, Adam Mickiewicz University.

One of EFRP´s principal aims is to understand the underlying causes of the current proliferation of festivals and its resource implications and diagnostic perspectives. In Poznań it intends to address questions such as: How do the artistic components of such festivals contribute to such festivals achieving the subtle transformation in attitudes that can result in major change in social and cultural capital? Another is to reveal whether such artistic activities directly stimulate ‘deliberative learning and knowledge acquisition’ of citizens and ultimately whether they build a sense of involvement and responsibility of the wider civil society? Other themes that the workshop aims to explore are: Why are such festivals especially popular in Italian cities? Why have universities, museums and learned societies in particular chosen to engage with these agendas and their diverse communities through the medium of a festival?

Researchers are invited to submit short proposals (250 words) of their research presentation by 1 February 2010 to Dr Dragan Klaic, EFRP Chair at draganklaic@gmail.com

Accepted proposals are to be developed into PowerPoint presentations of maximum 10 slides. In the Poznań workshop, each presenter will have 15 minutes for their presentation with ample time being reserved for discussion. PowerPoint presentations (in English) should be sent by April 5.

The organisers will provide hotel accommodation and meals for the presenters at the EFRP workshop. Participants will be responsible for their own travel costs.

Consult the full EFRP Call for proposals

This workshop is part of a larger programme entitled: Celebrating Europe: how international festivals strengthen civil society. The full programme includes a round table discussion The social and cultural capital of cities – Festivals and their contribution to urban development strategies’, with invited experts, festival operators and representatives of local government (Thursday, 22 April 18-20 h) and an academic conference Europe of festivals – civil society benefits? with invited Polish and foreign speakers (Friday, 23 April, 10-18h). An additional cultural programme including a theatre visit will be provided. Consult the draft programme here.

Image: Poznań Old Market Square / Stary Rynek