Eurochestries in Deux-Sèvres Festival

A classical music festival rooted in the rural Deux-Sèvres

The Eurochestries in Deux-Sèvres Festival is one of the departmental offshoots of the international Eurochestries network, created in 1989 in Charente-Maritime by Alain Music. The Deux-Sèvres branch, led since 2005 by the Orchestre à Vent de Niort (OVNi), stands out with a strong ambition: to bring high-level classical music to the heart of rural areas, in village churches, community halls, and outdoor spaces where this repertoire is usually rare.

Young talents from all corners of the globe

Every two years, for a week at the beginning of July, the festival hosts around 160 young musicians aged 15 to 25, representing symphony orchestras, string ensembles, choirs, and chamber music groups from Europe, North America, Central America, and Asia. Over the years, ensembles from Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Taiwan, Italy, Russia, and many other countries have performed on the stages of Deux-Sèvres.

Each orchestra first performs its own repertoire in concerts held in the region's municipalities. Then, during the week, the musicians work together under the baton of guest conductors to prepare a grand closing concert as an international symphony orchestra — a moment of intense emotion where young people from different cultures merge in a single orchestral work.

Classical music close to the residents

The festival's philosophy is based on a founding principle: almost complete freeness. Out of the thirty or so concerts scheduled in about thirty municipalities, all are free to attend, except for the closing concert at Niort's Moulin du Roc. OVNi thus wishes to offer all residents of the area — families, the elderly, young people, novices — the opportunity to discover classical music in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Concerts are held in various locations: Romanesque churches in the villages of Gâtine, village halls, public parks, and gardens, creating a musical journey that crosses the Deux-Sèvres countryside and makes each municipality a stop on this international adventure.

A springboard for young international artists

Beyond the concerts, Eurochestries is a unique human and artistic experience for young participants. Hosted by local families, they discover the daily life and culture of the French countryside. Joint rehearsals, exchanges between musicians from different traditions, and preparation for the final concert forge lasting bonds and enrich their artistic journey. The festival thus contributes to training the next generation of professional musicians while building international friendships.