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FEDORA - The European Circle of Philanthropists of Opera and Ballet is a non-profit association committed to supporting and contributing to the future of opera and dance in Europe. The association was founded in 2013 in Paris, under the presidency of Jérôme-François Zieseniss, in homage to Rolf Liebermann. FEDORA's main objective is to encourage emerging artists to renew these genres, thus making opera and dance more accessible, while fostering the emergence of new business models. In order to achieve this goal, FEDORA raises funds to stimulate innovation in the sector not only on, but also behind and beyond the stage, fostering its sustainable, inclusive and digital transformation.

Vision and mission

  • Encourage emerging artists to renew opera and dance thus making these genres more accessible.

  • Foster the emergence of new business models.

  • Stimulate sustainable innovation in the sector not only on, but also behind and beyond the stage, fostering its sustainable, inclusive and digital transformation.

Impact

6.5
6.5 million
public and private funds raised for new creations
75
75 cutting-edge projects
financially supported
2000
+ 2000 artists & creatives
involved
500000
+ 500000 people
worldwide attended the winners’ performances
350000
+ 350000 users
interacted on our platform

Our values

Innovation

Excellence

International collaboration and mobility

Creativity

Sustainability

Inclusivity

Digital Transformation

Resilience

10 years of impact

  • Year 1

    2013

    — 2014

    Association Launch

    Creation of the FEDORA association under the presidency of Jérôme-François Zieseniss and the management of Edilia Gänz, as a tribute to Rolf Liebermann.

  • Year 2

    2014

    — 2015

    Launch of the FEDORA Prizes Competition

    1st edition of the FEDORA Prizes Competition with the Award Night at the Paris National Opera in Paris.

  • Year 3

    2015

    — 2016

    Network Development

    2nd edition of the FEDORA Prizes Competition with the Award Night at Teatro alla Scala in Milan. Network development.

  • Year 4

    2016

    — 2017

    Partnership with Creative Europe

    3rd edition of the FEDORA Prizes Competition with the Award Night at the Salzburg Whitsun Festival. The Generali Group becomes the new Opera Prize sponsor. FEDORA is selected to receive co-funding from the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.

  • Year 5

    2017

    — 2018

    Launch of FEDORA Platform

    4th edition of the FEDORA Prizes Competition with the Award Night at Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich. Launch of the FEDORA Platform generating over 15,000 public votes.

  • Year 6

    2018

    — 2019

    Launch of the FEDORA Education Prize

    Launch of the FEDORA Education Prize with the support of a private foundation and in collaboration with RESEO, awarding innovative opera and dance education projects that encourage social integration and intercultural dialogue. 5th edition of the FEDORA Prizes Competition with the Award Night at Teatro La Fenice in Venice.

  • Year 7

    2019

    — 2020

    Launch of the FEDORA Digital Prize

    Launch of the FEDORA Digital Prize with the support of Kearney and in collaboration with the IMZ International Music + Media Centre together with a pilot project of an online transnational giving platform in collaboration with Transnational Giving Europe.

  • Year 8

    2020

    — 2021

    Launch of the Next Stage Initiative

    In October 2021, FEDORA & Opera Europa announce the launch of the Next Stage Initiative to boost knowledge and encourage green, inclusive, and digital transformative initiatives behind and beyond the stage. Online Award Ceremony hosted at La Monnaie/De Munt. FEDORA becomes a partner of the New European Bauhaus, initiated by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

  • Year 9

    2021

    — 2022

    Launch of the Next Stage Grants & FEDORA Prizes Biennale

    Launch of the Next Stage Grants, with the support of a private foundation, in collaboration with Opera Europa, and of the first edition of the FEDORA Prizes Biennale. FEDORA is selected for the second time to receive support from the Creative Europe programme of the European Union. Carlara International becomes the Education Prize sponsor.

  • Year 10

    2022

    — 2023

    FEDORA’s 10-year anniversary

    The Silver Company becomes the new Opera Prize sponsor. FEDORA celebrates 10 years of impact, renewal and change for the opera and dance sector while spotlighting the stakeholders who form this unique community. The celebrations are launched during the FEDORA Prizes Biennale Award Ceremony at the Palais Garnier in Paris, on 10 February 2023.

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Support sustainable innovation in opera and dance

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Experience the behind the scenes

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