Festival Les Cultures du Monde de Gannat
The global meeting place for traditional dances and music
About Cultures du Monde
The Festival Les Cultures du Monde: Half a Century of Encounters Between Peoples
Since 1974, the Festival Les Cultures du Monde de Gannat has been a major cultural event in Auvergne and France. Created by Jean Roche, passionate about intangible heritage and cultural diversity, this festival was born from the desire to introduce the public to the richness of popular traditions from around the world. Located in the heart of Gannat, a small town in the Allier department, it has become over the decades an unmissable event for lovers of folklore, traditional dance, and music.
A Festival Recognized by UNESCO
The Association Nationale Cultures du Monde (ANCM), the organizer of the festival, is an official NGO partner of UNESCO. This recognition testifies to the festival's commitment to the preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage. The festival actively participates in the CIOFF network (International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts), thus contributing to the preservation of living traditions worldwide.
A Rich and Diverse Program
Each edition hosts about ten folk and artistic groups from all continents: Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, Oceania. Traditional dance and music performances take place on several stages throughout the town, notably at the socio-cultural center and on the fairgrounds, renamed "Place du Festival" for the occasion. In addition to stage performances, the program includes parades in traditional costumes through the town streets, participatory dance workshops, exhibitions, conferences on intangible heritage, craft markets, and activities for young audiences.
A Popular and Unifying Event
The festival mobilizes nearly 500 volunteers organized into committees around the association's board of directors. This participatory and solidarity-based dimension is at the heart of the festival's identity, which prioritizes access for all to cultural diversity. Hosting guest groups with local families strengthens intercultural exchanges and creates lasting bonds between artists and the local population.
Beyond the summer festival, ANCM develops educational and cultural activities throughout the year, including the "PCI, Qu'es aquò?" program dedicated to raising awareness of intangible cultural heritage in schools and social structures.
Over 50 Years of History
Since its creation in 1974, the festival has hosted over 15,000 artists representing hundreds of different cultures. The 50th edition, celebrated in 2024, marked half a century of commitment to cultural diversity and dialogue between peoples. Gannat has thus become, for one week each summer, a true world capital of folklore and popular traditions.
Cultures du Monde — edition 2026
The 52nd edition of the Festival Les Cultures du Monde de Gannat will take place from July 18 to 24, 2026. For one week, Gannat (Allier) becomes the crossroads of cultures from all over the world with groups of traditional dances, music, and songs from the four corners of the planet.
52nd edition — July 18 to 24, 2026
The Festival Les Cultures du Monde returns for its 52nd edition from July 18 to 24, 2026. Organized by the Association Nationale Cultures du Monde, it brings together international folk and artistic ensembles for a week of shows, parades, workshops, and intercultural encounters in Gannat city center.
The program, as every year, includes: daily stage performances, a grand international parade in traditional costumes, an international craft market, introductory workshops to world dances and instruments, cinema-meetings, balls, and festive evenings. The festival highlights intangible cultural heritage, in connection with UNESCO.
Programme Cultures du Monde 2026
Guest groups and delegations (2026 edition)
The list of groups announced by the organizer for the 52nd edition:
- Gero Axular Dantza Taldea — Basque Country (Spain)
- Mokra — Albania
- Radosť — Slovakia
- African Tumbas — Kenya
- Finksahus — Finland
- Chandana Wickramasinghe & The Dancers' Guild — Sri Lanka
- Délégation d'Acadie — Canada
- Os Cariris — Brazil
- Abriendo Surcos — Argentina
- Zafarrancho — Colombia
- Tuna Femenina — University of Salamanca (Spain)
French groups and entertainment: Central Bal (musics from the Centre region), Happy Brass Band, Vânt În Est, and the Sport4Art animation combining sport and artistic expression. Other guests are yet to be announced.
The detailed day-by-day schedule (show times, stages, evenings) will be published on the official website closer to the festival.
Highlights Cultures du Monde 2026
- More than ten international folk ensembles invited (Albania, Slovakia, Kenya, Finland, Sri Lanka, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Spain…)
- Grand international parade in traditional costumes through the streets of Gannat
- International craft market
- Introductory workshops to world dances and instruments
- Cinema-meetings, balls, and festive evenings
Prices Cultures du Monde 2026
Practical information — Cultures du Monde
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: Gannat is located on the A71 motorway (exit 12 - Gannat), 30 minutes north of Clermont-Ferrand and 3 hours from Paris. The town is also accessible via the RN9 and D998.
By train: Gannat station is served by TER trains from Clermont-Ferrand (25 min), Vichy (15 min), and Moulins. TGV connections are possible from Vichy or Clermont-Ferrand stations.
Festival Venues
Performances mainly take place at the socio-cultural center and on the fairgrounds (Place du Festival) in Gannat. Activities are also offered in the streets and squares of the town.
Accommodation
Gannat and its surroundings offer various accommodation options: hotels, bed and breakfasts, gîtes, and campsites. It is advisable to book in advance as accommodation capacity is limited during the festival.
Ticketing and Prices
The festival offers free outdoor performances (parades, street entertainment) and paid indoor performances. A festival pass is available for access to all shows. Detailed prices are announced each year on the festival's official website.
Contact
Association Nationale Cultures du Monde
5 Place Félix Mizon, BP 58
03800 Gannat
Tel: 04 70 90 66 30
Email: [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Cultures du Monde
Centre-ville de Gannat
5 Place Félix Mizon, 03800 Gannat