Festival of World Music and Songs

A festival born from a passion for world music

The Festival of World Music and Songs was born in 2015 in Saint-Antoine-de-Ficalba, a small village in Lot-et-Garonne nestled between Villeneuve-sur-Lot and Agen. Initially named "Festival of Sacred World Music", it was created on the initiative of the association Vivre Saint-Antoine, which organized the first concerts in the magnificent Saint-Antoine parish church, a former chapel of the Antonine commandery rebuilt in the 16th century.

In 2016, the association Le Festival was created to ensure the event's longevity. Two years later, the festival was renamed "Festival of World Music and Songs", expanding its program to include secular music while retaining the spirit of openness and discovery that makes it unique.

A rich and eclectic program

Each year, the festival hosts artists from all over the world for concerts that celebrate musical diversity. Spectators can discover a variety of repertoires:

• Mediterranean and Occitan polyphonies with ensembles like Lou Barrut or L'Alba
• Flamenco with dancers and guitarists like Yurentz Bermudès or the duo Jean-Luc Amestoy and Serge Lopez
• Celtic and Irish music with groups like Poor Paddy
• Eastern European songs with formations like Michalove, a Ukrainian-Polish trio
• Oriental and Mediterranean music with artists like Light in Babylon, a trio from Istanbul
• Latin American music with Cuarteto Tafi and its Argentinian songs

The remarkable acoustics of the Saint-Antoine church provide an ideal setting for this music from afar, creating a unique and intimate atmosphere that festival-goers particularly appreciate.

Beyond the music

The festival is not limited to concerts. Each edition also features painting exhibitions, floral creations, conferences, and free film screenings related to world cultures. A bar and on-site catering allow festival-goers to extend their evenings in a friendly and warm atmosphere.

Quickly becoming an unmissable summer event in Lot-et-Garonne, the festival is recognized for the quality of its concerts and its good atmosphere. Accessible to all audiences, whether novices or enthusiasts of the genre, it contributes to the cultural influence of this small village in the Lot valley.