WHAT IS THE EPF ?

EUROPEAN PEOPLE'S FESTIVAL

The inaugural European People’s Festival was held in Libramont, Belgium in July 1992. The aim of the Festival Committee was to invite 60 participants from each of the original 12 nations of the European Union and hold a pan-European Festival with culture and sport. The Belgian Committee managed to achieve contacts with a town (population approximately 10,000 persons) in each of the then 12 EU member nations. During the inaugural Festival representatives of the twelve towns decided that the Festival should be held annually and hosted by a different nation in turn. At the Dunoon Festival in 1993 a European People’s Committee consisting of two members from each nation was formed. This Committee meets twice a year to discuss Festival business, future Festivals, dates and venues. The European Festival Committee is run democratically with an adopted Constitution and Executive members elected for a term of office. Since the inaugural meeting new towns from New EU member states have been added to the Festival line-up with the remainder being sought out for future participation. Currently, 15 cities are part of the festival.

The 2019 festival in Cantanhede, Portugal is the last edition actually. In 2020 and 2021, due to COVID 19, the festival was canceled. The next edition will be in Schifflange, Luxemburg, from July, 23rd to July 30th.

The aim of the festival is that it should be an experience for the local citizens, who will have a unique opportunity to see the various cultures of the participating countries.