New festival Twinning for Big Session
01 03 2010
On the 1st March the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) Launch their new initiative To ‘Twin’ selected independent festivals with like-minded events around the world.
'AIF Twin Festivals' is a Cultural Exchange, which partners the UK’s leading independent festivals with their counterparts abroad.
Based on the ‘twin towns’ concept, festivals will be paired with likeminded and similarly structured festivals from countries from around the world. Participating festivals will help promote their twin’s festival locally, be encouraged to take part in artist exchanges and talent discussions to help co-ordinate bookings of international artists and stimulate conversations with local music authorities for investment.
Festivals that have already been partnered under the scheme include:
Big Session Festival, Leicester & Tønder Festival, Tønder, Denmark
Bestival, Isle Of Wight & Melt, Ferropolis, Germany
Eden Sessions, Cornwall & Airwaves, Reykjavík, Iceland
Field Day, London & Øya Festival, Norway
Glade Festival, Winchester & Symbiosis Gathering, California, USA
Summer Sundae Weekender, Leicester & Bergenfest, Bergen, Norway
Standon Calling, Hertfordshire & Calvi On The Rocks, Corsica, France
Nozstock Festival, Herefordshire, Italia Wave Love Festival, Livorno, Italy
Rob Challice, AIF co-founder and director of Big Session & Summer Sundae Weekender said, "Independent festival organisers have often taken inspiration from other events with a similar ethos, creative vision and maverick style. Through this AIF initiative we can formally acknowledge this by "twinning" our events and hope that it leads to many creative partnerships."
This is the second year that The Association of Independent Festivals has looked to build links with non-UK festival goers and follows 2009’s successful partnership with VisitBritain.
Quotes from Participating Festival Promoters:
Stefan Lehmkuhl from Melt, Germany: "I'm enthusiastic about the idea of the cultural exchange between European festivals. Especially when it comes to independent and very individual open-air events its going to be an exciting and creative process, as I'm convinced we're all on the same page musicwise."
Nick Ladd from Glade Festival, Winchester: "We are really pleased to be twinned with Symbiosis in California.... the premier electronic music experience stateside. It’s what the San Francisco 60's scene has evolved into, an amazing international gathering created by people with true spirit and it reflects the Glades commitment to cutting edge music, incredible site art, non-commercialisation and shanty vibes."
Rob Challice from Summer Sundae, Leicester: "Bergenfest is based in the city of Bergen, whilst Summer Sundae is held in the city of Leicester. Two city-based festivals known for showcasing new international talent amongst established names. The organisers, Frank Nes and co, present their event with pride and show a high level of care for both artists and audience.”
Frank Nes, from Bergenfest, Bergen: “It is an honour for Bergenfest to partner up with Summer Sundae. It is my belief that we share the same core values, such as a strong emphasis on artistic quality and open mindedness towards genres. Over the years a few Norwegian acts have performed at Summer Sundae and I hope we can strenghten the ties in the years to come, including being able to open Norwegian festival-goers’ eyes to Summer Sundae.”
For further information on the Association of Independent Festivals please visit www.aiforg.com
