Although I have lived in the same place my entire life, I feel just as much European as I feel like a citizen of Bonn. Growing up in the former capital of West Germany, music has always connected me to my hometown – through the festival I led and the band I played in. Both gave me the opportunity to leave home, discover Europe and meet people who, no matter which corner of the continent they come from, resonate on the very same wavelength as I do. It is a family beyond my family.

The inspirational power of our festival family is exceptional – both internally and for everyone who encounters it. I have been fortunate enough to experience this time and again, and it continues to give me energy and motivation. Every single time.

And these are exactly the people behind these wonderful pop-cultural events – loved by hundreds of thousands. People are capable of creating memories that last a lifetime within seconds. The people who give young audiences far more than a few smartphone videos and a hangover. The values we define for our festivals become the guiding principles of our actions and a compass for the future – and they do not leave those untouched who spend a few days not merely as our guests, but – let’s be honest – as the true protagonists of our events.

As per our recent fan survey, eighty-five percent of people come to our events primarily for the festival feeling and atmosphere. Without the audience, without this spirit, the air would not shimmer, and no star on stage would shine. And especially for these young people, we as hosts carry a very special responsibility.

At the popular music festivals that have become my life, a utopia is being lived – one we should also strive for in society and across borders: respectful interaction, a sense of belonging, and consideration for individual needs at the same time. Bringing this to life is difficult enough, and yes, it does not always work everywhere. That is the nature of utopias. But outside the festival grounds, in real life, it is even harder. That is why our festivals can serve as living laboratories of utopia – places where we can learn so much for the world beyond.

Yet we are now living in a world that is rapidly changing. And we, as festivals, must either find or defend our place within this new reality.

This is especially true in the case of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine – a war that risks being forgotten amid the growing number of simultaneous global conflicts. Through our association, YOUROPE, and our TAKE A STAND initiative, we have worked together with our partners at Music Saves Ukraine to provide at least a small measure of joy and support in this horrific situation. And we can say: with success.

A success our friends would rather not have needed – because none of this humanitarian work should have been necessary in the first place. They should have been able to simply do their festival jobs in peace. But this is reality. And it is a reality we must confront across all parts of Europe.

Of course, we still see glimmers of hope and democratic highlights, whether in Poland or most recently in Hungary. But we also see democratic erosion everywhere – not only in Bulgaria or Romania.

Our festivals are meant to be platforms for innovation and opinion, for activism and art. Above all, they must remain platforms for freedom of expression.

Yet they are increasingly being used as platforms without our consent and without our participation – by outside groups and by political actors. That is by no means illegal, and it is protected by the very freedom of speech we defend. At the same time, however, it is a game that festivals must approach with caution.

Almost twenty percent of festivals have already faced boycott campaigns – among major festivals, the number rises to one third. And we all know that handling such situations properly – or even turning them into something constructive – is an art in itself.

All of this reflects a society moving at an alarming speed toward polarization, anger, and exclusion. This machine is fuelled by people who exploit division for their own purposes. We know there are political movements operating this way in every European country and far beyond.

Every day, we are confronted with headlines revealing yet another new low, especially from the United States, which once had inspired our sector so much in the past. And let us not deceive ourselves: these developments affect all of us, both as Europeans and as cultural professionals. Never before has this felt more tangible than it does right now – and not only at the gas station. Political leaders, or those aspiring to become them, feel encouraged to follow this dangerous path and use the same methods. Unfortunately, often with success.

And let us be clear: our festivals stand in their way.

Some of us may see ourselves as lone wolves, others as competitors. But we all believe in the same power of festivals. We share visions – and above all, values. We are open to others. We foster cultural exchange and live a spirit of inclusion and diversity. We believe in the unifying power of our peaceful gatherings.

And that is exactly what stands in their way. They work with fear to divide people.

Festival people do not work with fear. Festival people work with love – and with the kind of magic that can change lives forever.

That is why it is both our responsibility and our conviction that if political leaders across Europe are unable to build the Union we truly need – because of the principle of unanimity or for whatever other reason – then it is up to us to stand together, support those under pressure, and exchange knowledge on how to face these challenges:

• Through the arts
• Through our activism
• Through the unique magic that only we can perform

It will not be comfortable. But would you rather be comfortable – or on the right side of history?

I am calling on all of you: come together and unite. Europe is our home and it has made it possible for us to become who we are today. And if we want to preserve it – and urgently renew it – then we must live the utopia and lead by example.

It’s time to take a stand for Europe, and indeed for the whole world. To create a movement encouraging social cohesion in our society, promoting awareness and tolerance for all cultures, genders, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, colours, and origins. To motivate people to participate in politics and social activities, speaking up for peaceful dialogue, humanism, tolerance, and mutual understanding, to make the world a better place for every single individual and for all of us.

‍Based on Holger Jan Schmidt’s speech at the European Festival Awards on 15 January 2026.

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Disclaimer:

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.