european federation of national
youth orchestras
the future of
symphonic
music
Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union
This work programme has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the view only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
The EFNYO General Assembly & Annual Conference took place in June 2025 in the sunny Finnish capital Helsinki.
Over the course of three days the EFNYO members discussed everything from mission and vision, to future plans and improvement. An inspiring conference generously hosted by the Sibelius Academy, Uniarts of Helsinki.
Sessions
Among many highlights, two lecture events stand out. One focused on the topic 'Cultural sector becoming part of national emergency supply and resilience in times of crises' and the second on the 'Bridging Education and the Professional Music Field: Cooperation with Orchestras'. Members were able to freely discuss ideas for future collaborations, the need of online visibility and the importance of cultural infrastructure within countries and within the EU as a whole.
Special visits
To engage with the Finnish cultural landscape, the delegation visited the impressive Musiikkitalo - the main concert venue of Helsinki. A tour of the venue showed off its architecture and history. Another stop during the downtime of the conference was the former home of composer Jean Sibelius, which is now a beautiful museum showcasing the composer's life and works.
Overall the conference was a wonderful feast of connection. With members joining from Turkey, Spain, Scotland, Slovakia and many more, it was truly a coming together of cultures and ideas.
