So it's been a really intense time at the EFA Festival for Atelier Managers in Edinburgh - we're basically working 9am - 10pm every day for seven days! We have had some incredible moments of dialogue and debate, with some wonderful mentors, most notably Heiner Goebbels about Ruhrtrienniale and Mark Ball about LIFT. I guess when there are 52 participants from 28 countries all talking festivals festivals festivals, then basically anything can happen and it has.We've also done some amazing site visits to places like Jupiter Artland and Summerhall.

From tomorrow, for the next two days, we are spending time exploring our ideas, concerns, questions and more in even greater detail so I for one will be exhausted and exhilarated. I have met people here in this short time that I know I will know for all of my life, people from Jerusalem and New Zealand and Belgium and and and. In short, an exceptional opportunity which I would be glad to see ACW or others support their freelancers or staff members attend in future. Next one is Poznan, Poland in October, for the Malta Festival. 

I'll try (ha!) to sum up here some time after the seven days is up.

Many thanks again to ACW who have supported my attendance through a training grant via Lottery funds.