Estivada — Occitan Festival

Estivada: The Largest Occitan Culture Festival

Born in 1995 on the initiative of the City of Rodez, Estivada has become over the decades the largest popular gathering dedicated to the Occitan language and culture. First established on Place Foch in the heart of Rodez, the festival expanded to the Jardin du Foirail from 2000 to 2010, before undergoing several transformations. The association Org & Com managed the festival from 2006 to 2015, then the association La Gardarem took over, creating Nov'Estivada in 2024, a forum-festival held in Sébazac-Concourès.

A Multidisciplinary and Engaged Festival

Estivada aims to be pan-Occitan, multidisciplinary, popular, and free. For three days, the festival offers a rich program: concerts of Occitan and world music, balèti (traditional dances), theater, poetry, storytelling, cinema, conferences, forums, exhibitions, and a book and association fair. Estivada is a meeting place for the different regions of linguistic Occitania, from Bordeaux to Nice, from Limousin to the Catalan Pyrenees.

A Natural Setting: Parc de la Doline in Sébazac

Since 2024, the festival has been held at the Parc de la Doline, a vast green space in Sébazac-Concourès, a commune located just six kilometers north of Rodez. This green and spacious setting hosts the Occitan village, concert stages, conference areas, and children's activities, in a friendly and family atmosphere.

Transmission and Living Heritage

Beyond the performances, Estivada plays an essential role in the transmission of the Occitan language. Children's activities, writing workshops, public readings, and meetings with authors contribute to keeping this intangible heritage alive. The festival also welcomes artists from all over historical Occitania, strengthening the links between the different regional expressions of Occitan culture.