The public institution "Grad Teatar" will host one of the most important European cultural events - the Arts Festivals Summit 2026, an annual gathering organized by the European Festivals Association (EFA) from 16 to 19 May 2026. This was announced by this Budva-based cultural institution.
"Over four days, Budva will become a meeting place for around 250 festival directors, artists, cultural managers, representatives of domestic and European institutions and international partners, who will exchange ideas, discuss the future of the festival and create new projects and cooperation. The Summit Opening Ceremony will be held in Budva on May 16. The next two days will feature conferences, workshops and plenary sessions, but guests will also learn about the social aspirations, art scene and cultural heritage of the city and the country. The final day of the Summit will be marked by the central part of the program, the EFA General Assembly, at which the organization's future action plan will be adopted, new members will be promoted and the city for the next gathering will be selected," the City of Theatre said.
As they point out, over the past 74 years, EFA has organized a large number of meetings, debates and discussions in various cities in Europe.
"This has brought results that have directly influenced the cultural trends of European institutions and an impressive number of experts: EFA members, institutions, young festival managers, new artists, representatives of cities and regions, and thus wider social processes. The Public Institution 'Grad Teatar' has been a member of EFA since 2021. The fact that, in anticipation of the celebration of the jubilee of forty years of festival experience, the Public Institution 'Grad Teatar' has been chosen to organize one of the most significant events for the organization in Budva, after the successful Summit 2025 in Edinburgh, represents an exceptional honor for the institution and the city, but also a confirmation of the quality of many years of work and the establishment of international positions. The summit will also be important for the wider community, as it will contribute to the significant cultural, professional and tourist visibility of Budva and Montenegro within the European framework, and open the door to future cooperation in the international cultural space," conclude the Public Institution "Grad Teatar".
Bonus video:
