Interceltic Festival of Lorient

The Interceltic Festival of Lorient: a global crossroads of Celtic cultures

Since its creation in 1971 by Polig Monjarret, the Interceltic Festival of Lorient (FIL) has established itself as the unmissable event for Celtic cultures. Born from a reflection on the links uniting the Celtic peoples of Europe, it is today the largest Celtic cultural event in the world, bringing together artists, musicians, dancers, and enthusiasts from Brittany, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Galicia, and Asturias every summer.

Ten days of festivities in the heart of Lorient

The festival takes over the entire city of Lorient for ten days in August. Iconic venues such as the Stade du Moustoir, the Palais des Congrès, the Grand Théâtre, the Espace Marine, and numerous outdoor stages host over 300 shows and events. From traditional and contemporary Celtic music concerts to lively fest-noz, and bagpipe, gaïta, and accordion competitions, the program is exceptionally rich.

The Great Parade of Celtic Nations

A highlight of the festival, the Great Parade of Celtic Nations takes place on the first Sunday and brings together over 3,500 musicians, dancers, and artists from the eight Celtic nations. This spectacular parade crosses the streets of Lorient in front of more than 50,000 spectators, in a whirlwind of kilts, tartans, and banners, to the sound of bagpipes, bombards, and Celtic harps. It is a moment of emotion and pride shared by all Celtic communities.

A rich and eclectic program

The Interceltic Festival is not limited to music: it also offers visual arts exhibitions, Celtic cinema (CinéFIL), conferences and literary meetings, Celtic instrument master classes, a Celtic book fair, and a gastronomy area showcasing the produce of the Celtic countries. The show Horizons Celtiques, presented at the Stade du Moustoir, offers a grandiose show combining music, dance, lights, and video, bringing together artists from all Celtic nations in a breathtaking artistic fresco.

Fest-noz and Celtic nights

The fest-noz, these traditional Breton balls inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, are one of the most convivial moments of the festival. Organized every evening in different locations in the city, they invite you to dance to the rhythm of the musicians and Breton music groups until the early hours of the morning. The festival also offers Interceltic Nights at the Grand Théâtre and evenings at Kleub, a venue dedicated to concerts in a more intimate atmosphere.

Each year, a Celtic nation in the spotlight

Each edition of the Interceltic Festival highlights an invited Celtic nation or region, allowing the public to discover in depth the cultural, musical, and artistic richness of this territory. This thematic thread runs through the entire program, from concerts to exhibitions, including gastronomy and cinema.