24-05-2024
Brussels, 24 May 2024
The 67th Pearle* Conference brought together delegates from members associations from around Europe in Budapest on 23 and 24 May 2024. Hosted by the Association of Hungarian Orchestras in collaboration with the Hungarian Music Council, the event was held at the prestigious Müpa Budapest.
The conference was opened by inspiring words from Martin Kern, Director of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), emphasising the importance of innovation in the cultural sector and setting the stage for two days of dynamic discussions.
As part of Pearle’s longstanding collaboration with the European Festivals Association (EFA), participants learned innovative applications of ChatGPT in the daily practices of performing arts organisations with the guidance of Kristof Michiels from the AP University College in Antwerp. This session highlighted the potential of AI to transform the sector and improve operational efficiency.
The conference delved into several essential themes relevant to the present and the future of the performing arts sector. Sessions addressed sustainability in rural festivals, EU policies on heritage, the social protection of artists, skills in the green and digital transformation, capacity building, and ticketing.
13 years after the previous conference in Budapest, it was an opportunity to explore the developments of the cultural sector in the region over the last 30 years. Led by Péter Inkei and Géza Kovàcs and featuring special guests Máté Gáspár, Gergely Pröhle, and Natália Oszkó-Jakab, the session provided valuable insights into the Hungarian cultural landscape.
Attendees left the conference a renewed commitment and prepared to tackle the future challenges of the cultural sector, particularly in light of the upcoming EU elections.
Sébastien Justine, president of Pearle* commented: "With the EU elections ahead of us, we strongly believe that culture and the arts will be more important than ever in the next parliamentary term as they have the potential to build bridges."
The debates and collaborations fostered during the event are expected to influence the policy work of Pearle* and drive innovation in the performing arts across Europe.
