Festival des Enfants du Monde

Festival des Enfants du Monde: Cultural Diversity at a Child's Level

Since 1988, the Festival des Enfants du Monde has offered a unique spectacle in France: the encounter between young artists from around the world, united by a common passion for traditional dance and music. Every summer, for five days around July 14th, Saint-Maixent-l'École transforms into a global village where the rhythms of all continents resonate.

The RIFE association (Rencontres Internationales Folkloriques Enfantines), founder and organizer of the festival, carries an ambitious humanist project: to allow children from different cultures to meet, share their traditions, and forge friendships across borders. The festival is a member of CIOFF (International Council of Organizations of Folklore and Traditional Arts Festivals), an official partner organization of UNESCO.

A Journey Around the World in Five Days

Each edition hosts children's folklore troupes representing about ten countries. Dance and music performances take place on the town's stages, offering a dazzling panorama of global cultural diversity: Andean dances in shimmering costumes, captivating African rhythms, lively Irish dances, Gregorian chants or Slavic polyphonies, refined Sri Lankan dances, and powerful Oceanian percussion.

The July 14th Evening

The highlight of the festival, the July 14th evening, brings together all the troupes for a grand open-air performance followed by a contemporary music concert and fireworks. This moment of popular celebration attracts thousands of spectators each year in an atmosphere of joy and fraternity.

A Commitment to Youth and Culture

Beyond the performances, the Festival des Enfants du Monde develops an essential educational component. Children from the different troupes are hosted by host families in Saint-Maixent-l'École, fostering daily intercultural exchanges. Dance, music, and craft workshops allow local young audiences to discover the traditions of the invited countries. The festival thus contributes to education for global citizenship and respect for cultural diversity.

A Festival Rooted in the Life of the Town

The festival takes over the streets, squares, and halls of Saint-Maixent-l'École, transforming the town into an open-air stage. The costumed parades in the town center streets, the performances on Place Denfert-Rochereau, and the free events in the neighborhoods make the festival a truly popular event, accessible to all audiences.