Festival de l'Imaginaire
World cultures and performing arts in Paris
About Festival de l'Imaginaire
Created in 1997 by the Maison des Cultures du Monde, the Festival de l'Imaginaire is a unique event that celebrates the richness and diversity of artistic expression worldwide. Every year in May-June, the festival provides a platform for peoples and contemporary civilizations, through music, dance, and theater, exploring the alchemy between tradition and modernity, ancestral customs and living transmissions. Founded in 1982 by Chérif Khaznadar, the Maison des Cultures du Monde contributes to intercultural dialogue, international cooperation, and the safeguarding of cultural diversity. In 2025, the Festival de l'Imaginaire held its 28th and final edition in this format, concluding an adventure of nearly three decades dedicated to the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
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Festival de l'Imaginaire: Performing Arts from Around the World in Paris
Since 1997, the Festival de l'Imaginaire has been a unique event in the Parisian and French cultural landscape. Organized by the Maison des Cultures du Monde, it annually offers a platform for peoples and contemporary civilizations through music, dance, theater, and performing arts from all global traditions.
A Bridge Between Tradition and Modernity
The festival explores the alchemy between tradition and modernity, between ancestral customs and living transmissions. Each edition highlights rare or little-known artistic forms — Andalusian flamenco, classical music from the Arab world, Korean ritual dances, Brazilian shadow theater, Argentinian chamamé, Armenian duduk — in an intercultural dialogue that forms the beating heart of the festival.
The Maison des Cultures du Monde
The Maison des Cultures du Monde, founded in 1982 by Chérif Khaznadar, is an institution dedicated to cultural diversity and intangible cultural heritage. It is also the French Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage, recognized by UNESCO. Its Parisian headquarters are located at 101 boulevard Raspail in the 6th arrondissement, while it also has a center in Vitré, Brittany, at the Prieuré des Bénédictins.
Exceptional Venues
The festival unfolds in several prestigious venues: the Théâtre de l'Alliance Française (Paris 6th), the Théâtre équestre Zingaro (Aubervilliers), the Théâtre municipal Berthelot-Jean Guerrin (Montreuil), and Parisian bandstands for free open-air concerts. This diversity of venues reflects the variety of artistic forms presented.
An Irreplaceable Legacy
Over twenty-eight editions, the Festival de l'Imaginaire has introduced French audiences to hundreds of artistic forms from all continents, contributing to the preservation and transmission of humanity's intangible cultural heritage. The 28th edition, in June 2025, marked the last edition of this unique adventure in its current form, paving the way for new forms of dissemination.
Practical information — Festival de l'Imaginaire
Practical Information
Headquarters
Maison des Cultures du Monde, 101 boulevard Raspail, 75006 Paris.
Performance Venues
Théâtre de l'Alliance Française (Paris 6th), Théâtre équestre Zingaro (Aubervilliers), Théâtre municipal Berthelot-Jean Guerrin (Montreuil), Parisian bandstands.
Prices
Prices vary depending on the performance. Some open-air concerts are free.
Contact
Phone: 01 45 44 72 30
Email: [email protected]
Official website: www.maisondesculturesdumonde.org
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Festival de l'Imaginaire
Théâtre de l'Alliance Française et lieux multiples
101 boulevard Raspail, 75006 Paris