The 2026 European Arts Festivals Summit was officially opened in Budva

The European Arts Festivals Summit, an annual gathering of representatives of European festivals, artists, cultural institutions and cities, organized by the Public Institution "Grad Teatar" and the European Festivals Association (EFA), was officially opened last night in Budva.

The summit opened at the Citadel in Budva's Old Town, in the year when the City Theatre celebrates a significant jubilee - 40 years of existence and continuous artistic work.

Opening the event, Secretary General of the European Festival Association, Catherine Deventer, emphasized that over the coming days, Budva will become a meeting place for festival creators, artists, representatives of cities and cultural institutions from numerous European countries, with the aim of exchanging experiences and discussing the role of art in contemporary society.

"It is a great pleasure, but also a privilege, to be here with all of you - festival organizers, artists, city representatives and art lovers - to spend the next four days together discussing art, in peace and among friends," said Deventer.

Speaking about the choice of Montenegro to host the summit, she emphasized that it is a space rich in cultural potential, whose artistic perspectives the European festival community has yet to discover.

"For many of us, this is our first visit to Montenegro. It is a place rich in stories and artistic expressions that we all need to get to know better," Deventer pointed out.

Festival director Ivana Lazović pointed out that this year's summit has special significance because it is being held in the very year when the City of Theatre celebrates four decades of existence and continuous artistic activity.

"It was on this very stage, just a few years after Budva recovered from a devastating earthquake, that the City of Theatre brought new life to the streets of the Old Town. As a unique open-air festival, it awakened the spirit of the Mediterranean, filled the squares with art and transformed Budva into a grand stage under the stars," said Lazović.

She recalled that over four decades, the festival has grown into one of the most recognizable cultural events in the region and an important part of the European cultural network, especially after joining the European Festival Association.

"Holding the Summit of Art Festivals in Budva in this jubilee year is a particularly significant and symbolic meeting of tradition, experience and a shared vision of the future of European cultures and festivals," said Lazović, expressing her belief that the coming days will bring new partnerships and further strengthen the European festival community.

The President of the European Festival Association, Jan Briers, said that the Summit brings together a community connected by common challenges, but also by faith in the importance of art and international cooperation.

"It is worth our time to talk about funding, freedom, the future, art and audiences, but also about peace. Let us be together in our diversity of experiences and perspectives that we bring to the same table," said Briers.

He announced that the summit brought together 220 participants and that the capacity was fully filled. Participants come from 49 countries and 93 cities, from 21 European Union member states, 21 Creative Europe countries, as well as eight countries outside the program, including Canada, Palestine, Nigeria, China, Israel, Congo, Iran and Iraq. The President of the Municipality of Budva, Nikola Jovanović, assessed that the holding of the Summit represents a great recognition for Budva and confirmation of its place on the European cultural map.

"The gathering of representatives of European festivals, cultural institutions and cities in our city represents a special recognition for Budva, but at the same time confirms that our city, thanks to its cultural capacities, international reputation and long-standing tradition of organizing important cultural events, occupies a significant place within the contemporary European cultural space," said Jovanović.

He pointed out that Budva builds its recognition not only on its rich historical heritage, but also on continuous investment in cultural life and support for artistic creativity.

"Culture is an important space for connecting European cities, institutions and traditions through the exchange of art and ideas," said the Mayor, adding that the summit represents an important platform for discussing the challenges facing the festival sector - from audience development to the sustainability of cultural events and strengthening international cooperation.

He expressed special gratitude to the European Festival Association and the Public Institution "Grad Teatar" for their professional engagement, dedicated work and responsible approach, which contributed to the organization of this significant international event.

The Minister of Culture and Media, Tamara Vujović, also addressed the attendees, saying that holding the Summit of Art Festivals in Budva represents a special recognition for Montenegro in the year it marks two decades since the restoration of independence.

"Welcome to Montenegro, to Budva - a city that, with its millennial history and open sea, best testifies to the unbreakable ties between Montenegro and European civilization," said the minister.

Speaking about the role of culture in modern society, the Minister emphasized that Montenegro's cultural policy is based on the belief that culture is one of the key pillars of identity, democracy and social development.

"We recognize festivals as spaces in which society negotiates its own values. We see them as the most dynamic form of the public sphere where dialogue is not only possible, but also necessary. I am particularly proud of the role of the Public Institution "Grad Teatar", she emphasized.

She announced that one of the central events of the summit will be a discussion on cultural rights and democracy, in which Montenegro's chief negotiator with the European Union, Predrag Zenović, and director Boris Liješević will participate, as well as a series of programs that will introduce guests to the cultural identity of Budva and Montenegro.

"We want you to really 'breathe' Budva during these days. Through 'Walk and Talk' sessions in the Old Town, you will have the opportunity to feel the spirit of our heritage, while the Montenegrin Theatre Showcase will demonstrate the contemporary strength of our theatre," said the minister.

Concluding her address, she emphasized that art has a special power to connect people and communities.

"I believe that art has the power to connect where politics sometimes stops," said the minister, after which she officially declared the 2026 European Arts Festivals Summit open.

Over the next few days, participants can expect panels, workshops, discussions and presentations of the Montenegrin performing arts scene, which will be organized in Budva and Cetinje with the aim of strengthening the European festival network and developing new cultural partnerships. A special segment of the program will be dedicated to the presentation of Montenegrin theater and cultural identity, further confirming Budva and Montenegro's role as an important place of cultural exchange in the European space.

During the Summit, the signing of the EFFE Seal for Festival Cities and Regions will take place - an initiative to unite and recognize cities that actively support festivals and foster and promote culture and sustainable development.

The general assembly of the European Festival Association will also be held.