The organizers of large festivals in Romania ask the Government for concrete measures allowing them to continue their activity

The organizers of large festivals in Romania ask the Government for concrete measures allowing them to continue their activity.

During May 13, 2020, a working meeting took place between the Prime Minister of Romania, Ludovic Orban, the Deputy Prime Minister of Romania, Raluca Turcan, the Minister of Culture, Bogdan Gheorghiu, and the representatives of the Romanian Association of Organizers of Concerts and Cultural Events - AROC, which gathers the organizers of the most important festivals in Romania. They were joined by organizers of non-AROC affiliated events.
The discussions that the Government representatives had with the entrepreneurs from the festival sector concerned the specific measures that will be taken by the competent institutions after the  state of emergency situation finishes, regarding the organization of cultural or entertainment events.

This sector is one of the most affected in the context of current regulations, which impose social distancing. The suspension of festivals has repercussions not only on artists or organizers, but also on the entire sector of service providers specific to this type of event, as well as on the local economy, the most affected being hotel, catering or transport operators.

At this time, anywhere in the world, festivals are the strongest growth mechanism for at least three key areas: tourism, entertainment and culture. The unique structure of such an event, the fact that it manages to encapsulate and satisfy the need for entertainment, education, tourism, has such wide implications that the positive effects can be found in almost any area of ​​the community economy and as well as the economy of the state in which these events take place.

The major festivals have had an impressive take-off in recent years, receiving recognition and accreditation from specialized international authorities. But the greatest merit of these festivals is the fact that they attract a massive audience both from Romania and abroad, that they have contributed to the development of tourism in the cities where they take place, they have generated economic growth locally and non less, they have created jobs.

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AROC members

ARTmania Festival (Sibiu), Emagic / Awake Festival (Mures), Best Music Live, diMansions Festival (Covasna), Electric Castle (Bontida), Transylvania International Film Festival (TIFF, Cluj), Jazz in the Park (Cluj), Mozaic Jazz Festival (Sibiu), Neversea (Constanta), Plai Festival / JazzTM (Timisoara), Sunwaves Festival (Mamaia), Sports Festival (Cluj), Street Food Festival (Cluj), Summer Well (Buftea), The Fresh (Bucharest), Untold ( Cluj).

Awards at the European Festival Awards 2019:
Codruta Vulcu, President of AROC - The Award for Excellence and Passion
Electric Castle - Best Medium Festival Award
Jazz in the Park - Best Small Festival award

Awards at the European Festival Awards 2018:
ARTmania Festival - Best Small Festival award

Awards at the European Festival Awards 2015:
Untold - Best Major Festival award

Transylvania International Film Festival (TIFF), now in its 19th edition, category A film festival, accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers (FIAPF)