Recent research and policy discussions highlight the critical role of culture in public health. Studies have shown how musical engagement – from listening and participation to structured therapeutic interventions – can reduce stress, support recovery, improve cognitive and emotional functioning, and help prevent ill health. At the same time, the health and wellbeing of musicians and music professionals themselve deserves urgent attention, from working conditions to mental and physical health support and sustainable career pathways.
The EFM 2026 will bring these strands together. Through keynotes, discussions, workshops, and project presentations, we will look at music as a tool for healing, prevention, and connection – from clinical music practices to community-based initiatives that combat isolation and promote active participation, including in hospitals, prisons or other spaces where access to music is often limited. We will also reflect on how the music sector can foster healthier environments for those who create, perform, teach, and work within it.
Participants will have the opportunity to experience these ideas directly: practical sessions and collective music-making moments will be woven into the Forum, offering a shared understanding of music’s restorative and unifying potential.
EVENT DETAILS
European Music Forum on Music
June 7–12, 2026
Timisoara, Romania
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