It is acquired: the free music festival Fiestacity will not be held this summer in Verviers. The event has become too expensive in its current formula. The features of the artists explode and the sponsors are less generous. The organizing non -profit organization needs € 62,000 to complete the accounts of the 2024 edition.
Avoid the bankruptcy of the organizer asbl
The city has scored € 50,000 in the 2025 budget “which will cover the advance we made in 2024” At Verviers Music Festivals and that the non -profit organization is not able to repay explains the bourgmestre Maxime Degey. In this advance, there are € 12,000 already paid with a subsidy provided for 2025. In all, € 62,000 which will be used to fill the deficit last year.
Francis Geron, historic organizer of the free festival exposes his difficulties: “We have done miracles for 20 years with the same budget, but we find ourselves in an almost impossible situation. Today, the artists no longer earn their lives with the records they sell, but with the concerts”. Some stamps have been multiplied by four explains the organizer. “To continue free of charge, it would be necessary to double the budget”.
An uncertain future
The elected officials of the political opposition wonder. Freddy Breuwer (LRV) denounces opaque management. Laszlo Schoonbrodt (PTB) regrets the loss of a popular event and challenges college: “What cultural future for those who cannot afford to pay big festivals?”
“The 40,000 euros that remain in what was planned in 2025, I plead so that they are maintained in favor of the ASBL” specifies the mayor Degey “So that it can offer perspectives for the future”. The city is “Not able to say” S’il and Aura a Fiestacy Festival in 2026.
