Couleurs du Monde

A journey to the heart of world traditions

Since 2000, the Couleurs du Monde festival transforms the Place du 1er Mai in Castres every summer into an open stage for the cultures and traditions of the five continents. Created by the theater-animation service of the City of Castres under the impetus of Latifa Sabri, this free event has become over twenty-five years an unmissable summer event in the Tarn region, attracting more than 10,000 spectators each year.

A week of free open-air shows

Each edition unfolds over a full week in August, offering free shows every evening at 9:30 PM on the Place du 1er Mai. Approximately 200 artists from seven different countries share their traditions through performances combining folk dances, traditional music, shimmering costumes, and ancestral rhythms. From Cuba to India, from Congo to Colombia, from Montenegro to Costa Rica, each evening is a unique sensory journey.

In case of rain, the shows are moved to the Gérard Philipe hall, ensuring that each performance takes place regardless of the weather conditions.

World gastronomy and conviviality

The festival is not limited to dance performances. Each edition highlights world gastronomy with stands offering typical dishes from the represented countries. This culinary dimension enhances the immersive nature of the event and contributes to the friendly and festive atmosphere that characterizes Couleurs du Monde.

Twenty-five years of cultural diversity

In 2025, Couleurs du Monde celebrates its 25th anniversary, a quarter-century dedicated to promoting performing arts and popular traditions worldwide. Over the years, the festival has hosted folk ensembles from dozens of countries — Mexico, Peru, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Senegal, South Korea, Indonesia, Polynesia, and many others — offering Castres residents and visitors an exceptional insight into the cultural richness of humanity. Free and family-friendly, Couleurs du Monde embodies the vocation of a city that places culture and living together at the heart of its project.