Every time a year is over it is normal to draw a balance of how things have gone, to think about what we have done and what has been left to do, what can be improved and what we can be proud of. We think we can say Emergenza is proud of what has been done, but is still not satisfied, because wants to do more and more. First of all, we are proud of everybody who has played and will play with us: you have made us grow, you have supported us enthusiastically. We are proud of the figures we can show about 2003: 3,830 bands from all the world participated in the Festival, 923 gigs were organised in 47 cities of 11 countries, almost 1,000,000 people navigated our website, 1,200,000 brochures were printed and distributed. We are proud of some more figures, which maybe you are more interested in: prizes that make for €400,000 were awarded (without mentioning the local ones); 250 musicians form 10 countries participated in the Taubertal International Final last August, attended by almost 70,000 people in three days; 14 International Showcases with 48 best bands from the former seasons of the Festival; 14 Acoustic Showcases, with 10 bands from 7 different countries playing in a fascinating International Final in Paris. 3 international compilations of the best songs listened to in the recent seasons of the Festival. We are proud of our new adventures, we are proud of our courage being rewarded. We opened in Canada, we expanded the Acoustic Showcase after one year only since its opening (from three to ten cities), we decided to take the Festival to the USA… After 12 years, Emergenza is one of the biggest musical events in the world, one of the most interesting opportunities for record companies to discover new talents, one in a few landmarks for bands who want to play live with a worldwide-level technical, organizational and promotional assistance (thanks also to our great sponsors and partners), a musical adventure that can really take musicians where they would never hope to… At the end of this great 2003, we want to thank you for keeping on playing with us, and being aware that playing with Emergenza is not only a funny evening, but especially an opportunity to pursue a real goal, either passing to the following step or winning the night or being spotted by managers and talent scouts. It is to you, bands and musicians, the true Emergenza’s heart, we want to send our best wishes for 2004… keep on playing with us.