Festiv'Azul

A musical journey between Gascony and world cultures

Born in 2015 at the initiative of the lyrical company Opér'Azul, founded by Colombian mezzo-soprano Catalina Skinner and French baritone Pierre-Yves Binard, Festiv'Azul is a traveling festival that weaves musical confluences between Gascony, Occitania and world cultures. Supported by the association Grupo Azul, created in 1997, the festival has established itself as an unmissable summer event in Lot-et-Garonne.

Three weeks of musical touring

Each summer, Festiv'Azul unfolds its program over three weeks, from mid-July to early August. The festival offers more than a dozen concerts and shows in remarkable locations in the Grand Villeneuvois: churches, chapels, bastide squares, and natural sites. Voices from around the world resonate in the Saint-Étienne church of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs, the Notre-Dame church of Bias, the Place des Arcades of Monflanquin, and the lake of Cancon.

An eclectic and sunny program

Festiv'Azul's program explores a palette of great musical richness, at the crossroads of traditions and contemporary creations:

• Lyrical music and opera: opera arias, singing recitals, lyrical creations by the Opér'Azul company
• Baroque and medieval music: concerts of early music with renowned ensembles like Les Sacqueboutiers
• Voices of Africa: griots from Mali, Mandingo music, and West African rhythms
• Latin music: sounds from Latin America and the Indian Ocean
• Mediterranean music: klezmer, Occitan songs, and Eastern European repertoires
• Contemporary music: reggae, world fusion, and mixed creations

Festive evenings at the lake of Cancon

The highlight of the festival takes place at the lake of Cancon, a natural and friendly site nestled between lake and forest. Voices from around the world converge at this location for two major festive evenings with an eclectic and sunny program. Concerts, shows, DJs, catering from local and organic producers, games and activities for children, artisan and creator stalls, bar, and camping on site make up these moments of shared celebration in the heart of nature.

Music practice workshops

Festiv'Azul is not limited to concerts: the festival offers music practice workshops open to all, children and adults alike. Singing, percussion, instrument making... These participatory sessions allow the public to discover world music and experience the festival from the inside, in a spirit of sharing and conviviality.

Heritage in music

In partnership with the Pays d'Art et d'Histoire, Festiv'Azul offers "Heritage in Music" tours, free walks to discover the architectural and historical heritage of the Villeneuvois region, punctuated by musical interludes. These walks combine culture, history, and music in an original and accessible approach for all audiences.

A festival rooted in its territory

Festiv'Azul is deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Lot-et-Garonne. By investing in remarkable heritage sites and promoting local producers and artisans, the festival contributes to the cultural and tourist influence of the Grand Villeneuvois. Local and organic gastronomy plays an important role during the evenings at the lake of Cancon, with stalls from regional producers.