After the nomination of the incredible three festivals organised by the Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture project, as well as the votes of the audience and members of the jury, who are the most prominent music industry figures in Europe, the Flags of the Future festival was shortlisted for the European Festival Awards that will be awarded in the Dutch city of Groningen on 18 January.

The Flags of the Future festival will compete in the category of the best youth festival with four other events – Mittelyoung festivals from Italy, Rhizovention from Austria, the Romanian VIBE festival and the famous Danish Roskilde festival.

The Flags of the Future Festival was held from 28 to 30 April in the Novi Sad District, as part of the Future of Europe programme arch, presenting the energy of the youth through contemporary music, creativity and activism. During these three days, more than 8,000 people had the opportunity to visit a total of 66 exhibitions, 37 concerts, four exhibitions, five theatre and circus performances, and a total of 190 artists from 18 European countries were guests at the festival.

Shortlisted for the best European festivals are also Novi Sad’s EXIT festival, which is once again competing for the title of the best large European festival, Arsenal, which is in the finals of the selection for the best small festival, and No Sleep Festival, in the competition for the best indoor festival.

Across its 16 categories, the European Festival Awards recognise festivals and individuals who are pushing the boundaries in event organisation, health and safety, social awareness and sustainability.

The twelfth edition of the European Festival Awards will be held on 18 January 2023 at De Oosterpoort, a cultural centre in Groningen, the Netherlands.

Photo: Jelena Ivanović, Vladimir Veličković