ESNS turns 40: ‘Europe Calling’ leads our anniversary celebrations

26.06.25

We have a birthday coming up. We're incredibly proud to say that for four decades, ESNS has been Europe’s leading showcase festival and conference for emerging talent, helping to launch the careers of many artists. However, our traditional focus on one country doesn’t feel right. In a world marked by geopolitical tensions and cultural fragmentation, we want to use our voice to unite Europe with a strong, unifying theme: Europe Calling.

Europe Calling

In recent years, ESNS has put the spotlight on different European countries - such as Poland in 2024, Italy in 2025 - celebrating their unique cultural stories through music. But the call for European unity has never been more urgent. Europe Calling is ESNS’s new manifesto: a shift from national spotlights to a shared cultural movement.

"For years, shining a light on individual countries has helped us celebrate Europe’s rich diversity, but the challenges we face today demand more," says Anna van Nunen, Managing Director of ESNS. "Now is the time to bring those voices together and build an even stronger, connected European music community. Europe Calling is about more than identity, it’s about taking responsibility for our shared future. Music can bring us together. It’s time to make that connection louder than ever."

A celebration of 40 years of European music

In addition to showcasing hundreds of Europe’s most urgent emerging artists, ESNS26 will proudly celebrate its 40-year anniversary. Expect curated archival deep-dives, exclusive collaborations with media partners, pop-up activations and unique anniversary events that will highlight success stories of artists who started on ESNS stages and went on to shape European music.

These stories will unfold both in the city of Groningen and across digital platforms, making the rich legacy and ongoing impact of European music visible, accessible and celebrated across the continent.

Celebrate with us

Join us in Groningen from January 14 to January 17, 2026, as we celebrate 40 years of groundbreaking European music and shape the next chapter together. You can get your ESNS26 Delegate Pass here.