International Festival of Mandolin and Guitar Orchestras of Remiremont

A unique festival dedicated to plectrum orchestras

The International Festival of Mandolin and Guitar Orchestras of Remiremont is an unparalleled event in the French music scene. Founded in 1981 by the Club des Mandolines de Remiremont, this biennial then triennial festival invites plectrum orchestras from around the world to perform in the Vosges region. Over the years, it has established itself as one of the most important European events dedicated to the mandolin and classical guitar in orchestral formation.

A musical heritage rooted since 1939

The history of the Club des Mandolines de Remiremont dates back to 1939, when a plectrum instrument ensemble, existing since the 1930s, was officially formed as an association. It became a popular education association in 1946 and has continuously promoted the practice of the mandolin and guitar. Under the historic direction of Gilbert Zaug, and then his son Pascal Zaug since 2012, the orchestra currently comprises about forty musicians playing mandolin, mandola, mandocello, guitar, and double bass.

Nine exceptional international festivals

Since the first edition in 1981, nine international festivals have been organized in Remiremont: in 1981, 1987, 1991, 1995, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2015, and 2019. Each edition brings together between 150 and 200 musicians from Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, Russia, Belarus, Japan, the United States, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Poland, Israel, and Luxembourg. The festival has hosted prestigious ensembles such as the Vivaldi Orchestra of Karlsfeld (Germany), the Mandolin Band Elena Genova (Bulgaria), ensembles from Madrid, Milan, Annecy, and Moscow, as well as the internationally renowned guitarist Paco Serrano.

Unifying and spectacular concerts

The highlight of each festival is the closing concert bringing all the orchestras together on the same stage, offering the audience the grand spectacle of nearly 200 musicians performing iconic works together, such as Camille Saint-Saëns's Danse Macabre or Ary Barroso's Aquarela do Brasil. The repertoire includes original compositions for plectrum orchestra as well as transcriptions of classical music, film scores, and international popular music. The concerts are held at the Centre Culturel Gilbert Zaug, a 337-seat venue in the heart of Remiremont, offering acoustics and proximity to the artists that enhance the intensity of each performance.

International reach from the Vosges

The International Festival of Mandolin and Guitar Orchestras of Remiremont is a powerful vehicle for cultural outreach for the town and the department of the Vosges. By attracting musicians and spectators from all over Europe and beyond, it places Remiremont on the global map of plectrum music. Approximately 1,000 spectators from all over France and neighboring countries attend each edition, making this event a highlight of cultural life in the Vosges and an ambassador of the French mandolin tradition.