October 1st, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
1st October 2021
Ref: P7990
Pearle* - Live Performance Europe held its bi-annual Conference and General Assembly meeting on 29 and 30 September in Lucerne. It was hosted by its Swiss member orchester.ch and chaired by the President of Pearle*, Morten Gjelten.
With the participation of speakers from WIPO and ILO, two of the international bodies based in Geneva, Pearle* reassured its relations at the international level on copyright affairs and labour issues.
Delegates also exchanged on developments within the sector related to employment, gender equality and diversity, skills, and mobility: topics which are particularly relevant in the aftermath of the Corona crisis and in relation to new trade relations between EU and UK.
An important focus of the conference was sustainability in the live performance through circular economy, energy efficiency of buildings, mobility and ecological strategies for live performance organisations. Focus of the debate was the creation of sustainable productions and how to practically work together, exchanging on different strategies and involving all member organisations throughout Europe.
President of Pearle*, Morten Gjelten stated:
“Let’s continue our efforts to bring sustainability in all aspects of work when creating a live performance. We need in-depth exchange about the circular economy within the sector and sound support from our respective governments to go forward and making progress in this important topic.”
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pearle* as the ‘Performing Arts European League’, the conference programme was also an opportunity to look into future. Triggered by societal changes following from the pandemic, a panel of distinguished speakers moderated by Georg T. Roos, a renowned futurologist based in Lucerne, explored the question how live performances will look like in thirty years’ time and how they will contribute to society.
During the conference which celebrated the 30th anniversary, members were put in the picture whilst presenting the achievements and activities undertaken by their respective organisations. Pearle* also bid farewell to former president Géza Kovács, who represented since 1996 the Association of Hungarian Orchestras.
***Ends***
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 and sole traders 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 Live Performance across Europe.