EJN Staff Exchange Programme

Sending EJN member: Jazz sous les pommiers (France)
Hosting EJN member: Cully Jazz Festival (Switzerland)
Dates of the exchange: 7–12 April 2025

From 7 to 12 April 2025, I had the opportunity to take part in the EJN Staff Exchange Programme at the Cully Jazz Festival in Switzerland. I decided to apply after welcoming Christian Russo (NovaraJazz, Italy) to Coutances in 2024, which was my first introduction to the programme.

I arrived with many questions and a strong desire to learn, and I left with generous answers from the Cully team, along with their warmth, positive energy, calm approach, and efficiency. I also took away strong musical memories, including concerts at several festival venues and vibrant jam sessions at the Caveau des Vignerons.

The Cully Jazz Festival is run by a small permanent team supported by an organising committee and a large group of around 600 volunteers involved in all areas of the festival, from ticketing and hospitality to logistics, bars, outreach, and sustainability. During my stay, many staff members and volunteers took the time to explain their roles and working methods, giving me a broad and detailed overview of the festival’s organisation.

I discovered a festival that shares many similarities with Jazz sous les pommiers, while also standing out for its unique location on the shores of Lake Geneva, its strong connection to local heritage, its effective management model, and its exemplary environmental policy, including reusable tableware, soft mobility, and sustainable logistics.

I am very grateful for the warm welcome I received from the Cully Jazz Festival team and would like to thank the Europe Jazz Network for making this rich and inspiring exchange possible.