The Gedeputeerde Staten van Gelderland announced on June 28 the proposal to stop structural support to (among others) Music Meeting starting in 2025. We are shocked and extremely disappointed. Below is our reaction.
A unique music festival of high quality, across countries, cultures and music styles, worldwide. That is Music Meeting. We are proud that our adventurous and (inter)nationally acclaimed program takes place in the beautiful province of Gelderland, to which we feel very connected.
Music Meeting has been supported by the province almost from the beginning, and for good reason. Since 1985, we have been presenting musical discoveries from all over the world to a wide audience, most of whom are from Gelderland. New projects, artists performing in the Netherlands for the first time, unknown genres, untold stories: at Music Meeting every year many Gelderlanders of all ages go on a musical adventure. Our program is hardly seen elsewhere in the Netherlands, which also makes us welcome many visitors from the rest of the Netherlands and (far) beyond. Finally, there is our free accessible online music channel Music Meeting All Ears. With this we make concerts, stories and depth accessible to every person from Gelderland.
Music Meeting is a household name and a stepping stone for musicians. Besides the many international discoveries, we invariably make the connection to Gelderland talent in various ways. Last year we started an Open Call Gelderland and there are great plans for even more regional cooperation such as with ArtEZ. Moreover, we are preparing an internationally acclaimed education program that we want to roll out in Gelderland: a first in the Netherlands, and a fantastic opportunity for very young Gelderland musicians.
A festival originates and develops in a context: the fact that Music Meeting started in Nijmegen in 1985 is thanks to a number of creative pioneers with an inquisitive eye (far) outwards. The fact that the festival has proven itself for almost 40 years has everything to do with the loyal bond with the city and with the province: that involves audiences, musicians and partners, but also all our Gelderland suppliers, freelancers, interns and volunteers.
We hope that the Provincial Council does not adopt the proposal from the Provincial Council and that Music Meeting may resonate even louder in the province in the years to come.
Sophie Blussé,
managing director Music Meeting
+316 4154 8825
