(BRUSSELS) – EU ambassadors endorsed Wednesday a provisional agreement reached with the European Parliament on 25 January on future financing of the European Union Youth Orchestra.
“The EU has ensured that the Youth Orchestra will remain among the best of its kind,” said Bulgaria’s culture minister Boil Banov, for the EU presidency: “It consists of outstanding and dedicated young musicians, conductors and soloists from across the EU, and is a source of pride for all of us.”
The future of the Youth Orchestra has been secured until the end of 2020 as a result of an agreement on funding which will come from the Creative Europe programme.
As part of the deal, the orchestra will have to increase its efforts in areas such as audience development and visibility and to ensure geographically balanced representation of musicians as well as work with a view to reducing its dependence on Union funding.
The Youth Orchestra was founded in 1976. It brings together talented young musicians from the whole of Europe, working to the very highest musical standards.
The Youth Orchestra has played a unique role in promoting inter-cultural dialogue, mutual respect and understanding through culture. It has performed in major cities and festivals in Europe and around the world, in a variety of formal and informal settings using traditional and innovative formats and techniques for a wide range of audiences.
Through its activities, it has acted as a cultural ambassador for the Union by showcasing the richness and diversity of European culture and emerging talent.
