Interfolk - International Folklore Festival of Puy-en-Velay

Interfolk: Over 60 Years of International Folklore in Le Puy-en-Velay

The story of Interfolk began in the winter of 1962, when two friends, Pierre Perrin and Raymond Longo, soon joined by Dr. Olivier, envisioned an international folklore festival in the heart of Velay. Their dream took shape in 1964 with the first edition of the International Folklore Festival of Puy-en-Velay, which became one of the oldest folklore festivals in France.

A Festival Recognized on the International Stage

In 1984, the festival joined CIOFF (International Council of Folklore and Traditional Arts Festivals), an NGO and official partner of UNESCO. This membership granted Interfolk international recognition and allowed it to host quality folk ensembles from around the world. In 2001, the festival adopted the name InterFolk, and in 2003, it hosted the 33rd CIOFF World Congress in Le Puy-en-Velay, confirming its international reach.

In 2012, InterFolk obtained accreditation as a Youth and Popular Education Association from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, demonstrating its educational and social commitment.

A Week of Festivities Across Haute-Loire

Every summer, for a full week at the end of July, Interfolk transforms Le Puy-en-Velay and its department into a vibrant cultural mosaic. The festival hosts approximately 250 to 400 artists — musicians and dancers — representing about ten different nationalities. Performances take place in thirty towns in Haute-Loire, offering the public open-air shows, most of them free.

Festival Highlights

• Opening Gala: Inaugural show at the Palais des Congrès in Vals-près-le-Puy, bringing together all invited groups in a grand performance of world dances and music.
• Performances in the Towns: Throughout the week, folk ensembles perform in the towns and villages of the department, bringing world cultures closer to the residents.
• The Interfolk Fair (Féria): A festive evening celebrating popular Southern cultures, with music and dance in a friendly atmosphere.
• Le Puy in Celebration (Le Puy en Fête): Closing day with a parade of all groups through the streets of Le Puy-en-Velay, street entertainment, and a grand evening parade.

A Popular and Engaged Festival

True to its founding values, Interfolk is a deeply popular festival. The vast majority of performances in the towns are free and in the open air, accessible to everyone. Each year, the festival mobilizes about a hundred passionate volunteers who handle group reception, logistics, and show organization. Interfolk embodies a vision of folklore as a vehicle for peace, intercultural dialogue, and sharing among peoples.