Creative Island is kicking off the New Year with some great news for the Isle of Wight arts and cultural scene.
The Island has received the prestigious EFFE Seal from the European Festival Association (EFA). This accolade recognises cities and regions committed to integrating festivals and cultural activities into their development and European identity.
Recognition for local festival excellence
Creative Island applied for the EFFE Seal on behalf of the Island’s thriving festival sector. Acting as an umbrella organisation, they represented the diversity of festivals across the Island in their application.
A spokesperson for Creative Island expressed gratitude to the local festivals that contributed, saying,
“We’re thankful to the local festivals that provided information that we then presented for the EFA members to base their decision upon.”
Principles of the EFFE Seal
The major principles of the EFFE Seal are:
- Seal a closer collaboration between festivals and their cities
- Support arts festivals in the cities
- Engage cities with their festivals in ‘conversations’ and ‘encounters’
- Create structured dialogue platforms between festivals and politics
A step forward for cultural development
The EFFE Seal for Festival Cities and Regions is not only an honour, but also an invitation for cities and regions to align their growth with cultural and European values.
The Island’s application was one of just eight accepted, placing the Isle of Wight among an elite group of regions recognised for their commitment to cultural enrichment.
Learn more
To explore the significance of the EFFE Seal and its impact on festival development across Europe, visit the European Festival Association website.
This milestone marks an exciting chapter for the Isle of Wight, highlighting its vibrant cultural scene and the collective efforts of its festival community.
