June 4th, 2021
Today, June 4th 2021, Pearle* - Live Performance Europe held its bi-annual General Assembly meeting. It was organised online and chaired by the President of Pearle*, Morten Gjelten.
The meeting kicked off with an exchange with Culture Action Europe on artists working conditions and the social situation of artists, currently discussed at the European Parliament and also on the agenda of Culture Council work plan.
The Pearle* office also presented the 2020 activity report of the association, listing the 10 most relevant policy areas for the sector, with the Covid-19 pandemic as a top priority throughout last year.
In the same line, the meeting clearly showed the health crisis still being a great concern for the sector. Pearle* members discussed issues related to the re-opening of venues and live events, such as communication campaigns, the use of digital Covid passports and testing to enter an event and national recovery plans, most of which have been submitted to the Commission.
In this context, members call on EU Member States and the European Commission to monitor expenditures and make sure that at least 2% of the budget will be allocated to culture in each Member State. Pearle* president Morten Gjelten said:
“Last year, we were one of the first sectors to close down and this year we come at the end to re-open. We therefore urge all European countries to boost and stimulate the whole value chain of the live performance, and people working in the sector, so that we see culture flourishing again very soon and help our societies to recover from the crisis.”
At the meeting, Morten Gjelten was re-elected for another term of 2 years as Pearle* president. Members congratulated him on the election. Pearle* also elected a new executive committee.
At the General Assembly meeting on June 4th, the European Association of Artist Managers (AEAA), Plasa Europe, Wroclaw Opera and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra were accepted as associate members of Pearle*. We very much welcome the new organisations in the Pearle* network.
Pearle*-Live Performance Europe now has 63 full and associate members. Pearle* represents over 10,000 organisations in the sector.
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Note to editors:
Pearle*- Live Performance Europe is a European federation representing through its members more than 10,000 theatres, theatre production companies, orchestras and music ensembles, opera houses, ballet and dance companies, festivals, concert halls, venues and technical suppliers within the performing arts and music sector across Europe. The aim of this non-profit making organisation is the establishing of a stable environment by supporting sustainability and promotion of the Performing Arts across Europe.