European Forum on Music 2024
Jack Mahony, IAYO Administrator, recently attended the 12th European Forum on Music in Bulgaria as part of his European Music Council (EMC) Fellowship. The EMC Fellowship Programme offers emerging professionals working in the field of music with the opportunity to internationalise their careers. Below he writes of his experience.
“I had the opportunity to attend the 12th European Forum on Music (EFM) held from June 5 to 7, 2024, at the Toplocentrala Centre for Contemporary Arts in the very sunny Sofia, Bulgaria. The event was organised by the European Music Council (EMC) in partnership with the Bulgarian Music Association, and this was my first event as a European Music Council Fellow, and certainly will not be the last of international engagements during my time in the programme. The central theme of this year’s forum was ‘Equity in Music’. The forum aimed to address the critical issue of equity within the music sector, focusing on ensuring fairness and equal opportunities for all individuals. The discussions revolved around how the music industry can become more inclusive and diverse, particularly in terms of market access, representation, and education.
Key discussions at the forum included:
- Geographical Disparities: Several sessions highlighted the uneven distribution of resources and opportunities across different regions in Europe. Participants discussed strategies to bridge these gaps, with an emphasis on enhancing accessibility and support for underrepresented areas. Particular attention was paid to the lack of representation of Bulgarian artists on the global stage.
- Music Education: A significant portion of the forum focused on the challenges faced by music education in Europe. Concerns were raised about the myriad of factors, which halt the progress of music education, from financial restrictions to nationwide cultural barriers.
- Digital Transformation: The impact of digitalisation on the music industry was another major topic. Discussions centred on how digital tools can be leveraged to promote equity and inclusivity in music, while also addressing the challenges posed by digital streaming platforms.
- Policy and Advocacy: There was a strong emphasis on the need for coordinated advocacy efforts to influence policy at both national and European levels. The forum underscored the importance of data collection and collaboration among stakeholders to push for policies that support a more equitable music sector.
This was my first experience attending anything at all on the international level. The forum provided a valuable platform for networking and exchange of ideas. Meeting my fellow fellows was wonderful and I hope to engage with them in working on a project internationally in the future. The discussions were rich and varied, offering new perspectives on how we can collectively work towards a fairer and more inclusive music industry, and provided insights and opinions which I had never considered before.”
