'Your initiative is a wonderful example of cooperation in the field of culture that I warmly applaud and for which I thank you.'

It is incredible to have over 4000 young musicians from across Europe & beyond in one place. It is an experience that all participants will surely remember forever. I think the EMJ is the largest one of its kind. The festival is very well run and it is a great experience for a group to attend.

Today the EMJ has become one of Europe's most prestigious and most welcoming festivals for young people, thanks to its high musical level, its charisma and its passion for co-operation. The festival is truly European; its foundations, its spirit, its objectives they all reflect the European idea of cooperation and unity in diversity.

Obviously there is no limit to EMJ’s efforts to welcome thousands of youngsters to Neerpelt year after year. Lirica has participated in quite a few festivals. Still EMJ remains to us one of the best organized and most intense festivals in the world. Nowhere else is there a match to the musical level of EMJ. The friendship resulting from receiving so many international groups and the possible exchanges afterwards, is truly invaluable. Thanks to EMJ we got to know festivals in Japan and in South Africa; Kindly accept our gratitude for doing so.