Juvenilia, European Network of Young Opera Friends is a non-profit association registered in Milan, Italy. We bring together young people from across Europe who share a love for opera, ballet, and classical music. We strive to ignite curiosity, passion, and connection through the performing arts. At the same time, we work to make these experiences more accessible and meaningful for new generations.
By organizing cultural events and exchanges, we give young opera lovers a space to meet like-minded peers. We foster a strong network of partner clubs that recognize the importance of caring for the next generation of audiences. Through the timeless power of music, we seek to inspire cross-cultural dialogue, creativity, and a shared sense of European citizenship.
From a Dream to a Community in Action
Juvenilia was founded in 1998 as the European Network of Young Opera Friends in Milan. The initiative was a follow-up to the first European Youth Cultural Meeting organized at the Salzburg Festival in 1997.
Over the years, Juvenilia has taken many forms. It started as informal meetings of young opera-house professionals.
It later grew into a group bringing together young opera enthusiasts across Europe.
In 2018, Juvenilia received the European Charlemagne Youth Prize for its work promoting cross-cultural understanding across Europe. During the COVID pandemic, the organization launched Juvenilia at Home, offering free streamed opera performances to reach audiences while opera houses were closed.
Turning Commitment into Structure
Next, in 2021, Juvenilia became an non-profit umbrella association, bringing together Europe’s associations of young opera enthusiasts. We completed our official registration as an association, establishing both a statute and a bank account.
Finally, starting in 2026, Juvenilia has become a association with individual members. With more volunteers and a greater sense of ownership, we hope to develop our community even further. Our goal is to be officially recognized in Italy as a social promotion association (APS) and registered in the Single National Register of the Third Sector (RUNTS).
Our network of Partner Clubs now includes 24 theatres, festivals, and opera friends’ clubs across seven countries. While Juvenilia operates as an independent association, it continues to serve as a central platform for exchange and collaboration on all matters related to engaging young audiences for its Partner Clubs.
We organize international opera events where young people from across Europe experience performances together, enriched by a vibrant cultural and social program. Alongside the shows, participants take part in workshops, guided tours, museum visits, behind-the-scenes experiences, meetings with artists and culinary discoveries.
Our impact goes beyond individual events. We connect like-minded young people across borders, helping friendships grow across European cities, sharing recommendations on must-see performances, and strengthening collaboration among youth opera and classical music associations. At least once a year, Juvenilia members gather in an Assembly to exchange ideas and shape the future of the network together. The Juvenilia Board works closely with opera houses, offering guidance and expertise to help establish and grow local youth opera friends’ clubs.