ABOUT US

The project was launched as a grassroots initiative – a spontaneously formed group of people from different cities and institutions initiated cooperation with the Kraków Festival Office. As a result, in the winter of 2025, the Programme Council that was formed on that occasion shaped the idea of organising FEST FORUM, and the National Centre for Culture, the Centre for the Development of Creative Industries and the European Festivals Association became partners of the event.

The two editions of the FEST FORUM, organised in 2025, made it possible to join forces and build a broad network of cooperation. The response from the community showed that FEST FORUM is a common asset, an important space for exchange and a real forum created by and for festival organisers.

Although the project started in Kraków, we aim for FEST FORUM to travel all over Poland, to be closer to different parts of the country, including reaching smaller towns and people living outside the big cities. If you’re interested in organising a FEST FORUM, please contact us.

FESTIVALS HAVE AN IMPACT

By diagnosing the challenges and interests, we can speak with a common voice. And we want to speak in such a way, not only to be heard, but also listened to. Festivals build communities – both local and those that have no geographical boundaries. They reinforce and enrich the identity of places. They drive the economy, develop tourism and revitalise spaces. They create the reputation of cities and regions. Finally, festivals affect the well-being of the community: they allow us to breathe and better understand the reality around us. They move and engage, offering a transformative experience for many audiences.

Festivals are a space for artistic experimentation, social courage and talking about what’s important. After all, they are part of the creative industries and foster innovation, but just like the dynamically changing world, they themselves need changes to make them work better – both here and now and in the future.

CREATING THE FUTURE OF FESTIVALS

All that aspects of festivals are making up a contemporary cultural heritage, co-created by event organisers, artists and audiences. The festival life cycle doesn’t make us just a seasonal attraction or a one-off firework. We’re offering the stage to the people of music, literature and art, not just for the single moment of meeting the festival audience. We’re creating a sustainable cultural infrastructure from which its recipients can draw on a daily basis and build a valuable future for their initiatives.

We also want to look at what’s challenging in our work, share know-how from different parts of Poland and abroad and look for solutions together. Law, fund-raising, community outreach, workplace culture, well-being, succession, accessibility, sustainability and ecology, new operating and business models – all to ensure that festival organisers have an in-depth, up-to-date knowledge of their craft and that festivals themselves remain resilient and capable of long-term growth.

ACTIONS TAKEN

2025

April: FEST FORUM. Opening

The first meeting of the FEST FORUM was aimed at opening up discussion and sketching out perspectives on necessary actions. The theme of community and the ways in which festivals build it played a particular role.

More about the event.

November: FEST FORUM. Balance

The autumn edition developed the themes mapped out in the spring: the work culture and well-being of festival staff, collaboration with local communities, environmental concerns, the issues of accessibility, funding and long-term development strategies.

More about the event.

2026

January: FEST FORUM – online version

In the format of open online meetings, we talked about crowdfunding, community collaboration and the Act on Protecting Minors, among other things.

More about the event.

February: Launch of the FEST FORUM online platform

With the support of the National Recovery Plan, we’re developing a digital platform, FEST FORUM, which brings together materials, reports and good practices to increase inclusivity, enable online participation and the use of resources developed.

WITH A COMMON VOICE

FEST FORUM is a festival backstage where we diagnose common problems and learn from our mistakes and successes. It’s a space for lobbying, self-organisation and building a viable representation of the festival community. Democratic, diverse, interdisciplinary. For organisers and promoters, cultural institutions, NGOs, local authorities and all those who believe that festivals can – and should – speak with one strong voice.

Let’s design the future of our festivals together.