June 4th, 2020
Brussels (4 June 2020)
On 27-29 May 2020 Pearle* members from across Europe met online for their 59th Conference and General Assembly. The meeting was chaired by Pearle* president Morten Gjelten and Pearle* director Anita Debaere.
The conference brought together leading experts in different policy areas, such as gender equality, posting and social security, 5G and radio spectrum.
On 29 May, Pearle* members held a discussion on EU funding for culture with Ms Barbara Gessler, Creative Europe head of unit at DG Education and Culture at the European Commission. Ms Gessler presented in particular specific support for the music sector and performing arts as part of the Creative Europe programme and a dedicated budget under Erasmus Plus. She also underlined the access to the EU cohesion funds.
At the conference, a state of play was made of the activities undertaken by Pearle* in relation to Covid19. In the context of the Behind the Stage project, aimed at empowering the role and capacity of employers’ associations, members took stock of their various actions during the crisis. Members, which are national branch associations undertake major work to defend the sector and its ecosystem and were applauded for their achievements. It is expected that the pandemic will have a long-lasting effect on the sector and that financial support and aid schemes are absolutely needed beyond 2020 to ensure a future for live performance throughout Europe.
The booklet, Visas for Third Country National Artists Travelling to the Schengen Area – Update 2020, was officially presented to members during the conference. This updated version of the 2018 publication is issued in the context of the successful synergy partnership between the European Festivals Association and Pearle* as part of the Rise project, funded by Creative Europe.
The conference also took stock of the realised activities and activity report 2019 highlighting the top ten EU and international issues, projects, representation and mandates.
Members accepted the German entertainment technology association VPLT as full member. The Athens concert hall Megaron and the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra joined as associate members. The new members are very much welcomed and Pearle* looks forward to further collaboration.
Pearle*-Live Performance Europe now has 56 direct members, representing over 10,000 organisations in the sector.