Musicalies en Sologne

39th Edition: Three Days of Popular Arts in Sologne

From Friday, May 1st to Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, the UCPS (Union for Popular Culture in Sologne) organized the 39th edition of Musicalies en Sologne in the town center of Pierrefitte-sur-Sauldre (Loir-et-Cher). Concerts, traditional dances, a storytelling walk, a children's brass band, a luthier market, and a participatory evening vigil followed one another for three days around the Village Hall and the church square.

A Program with Multiple Horizons

The 2026 edition brought together several regional and Creole traditions: Camerata (Poitou - Auvergne - Reunion), Terres Brunes (Gascogne), Les Vidals (Quercy), Kéméstounaré (Reunion maloya), Ardante (Auvergne) and Planchée (Upper Brittany). On the youth side, the Amusiaux brass band and the children from the local school animated the traditional «Maypole» on Sunday morning.

Traditional Dances, Evening Vigil, and Participatory Moments

In accordance with the festival's proven formula, each evening opened with a concert and continued with a traditional dance. Sunday, May 3rd concluded with «Le Bœuf» at 6:45 PM in front of the church — a collective jam bringing together all present musicians — followed by the 8 PM evening vigil around Jean-Claude Botton: songs, dance music, stories, and other entertainment shared with the musicians present.

An Organization Led by UCPS Since 1987

The Union for Popular Culture in Sologne has coordinated the festival since its creation in 1987. Based at 13 rue de Nouan in Pierrefitte-sur-Sauldre, the association carries out in-depth work on traditional music and dances, lutherie, and the intergenerational transmission of Solognot popular arts and beyond.

Friday, May 1st, 2026

• 9:00 PM — Camerata Concert · Village Hall — Trio blending music from Poitou, Auvergne, and Reunion.
• 10:30 PM — Traditional Dance with Camerata and Terres Brunes (Gascogne) · Village Hall — Traditional dance to the repertoires of both groups.

Saturday, May 2nd, 2026

• 6:30 PM — Aperitif-Dance with Les Vidals (Quercy) · Village Hall — Opening dance in acoustic formation.
• 9:00 PM — Kéméstounaré Concert (maloya) · Village Hall — Reunion group dedicated to the roots of maloya.
• 10:30 PM — Traditional Dance with Kéméstounaré, Ardante, and Planchée · Village Hall — Big dance bringing together the three groups (Reunion, Auvergne, Upper Brittany).

Sunday, May 3rd, 2026

• 10:00 AM — Storytelling Walk — Walk led by a storyteller (by reservation, specific fee).
• 11:30 AM — The Maypole · Village Square — Annual tradition led by the Amusiaux brass band and school children, with dances and songs.
• 6:45 PM — Le Bœuf · In front of the church — Collective jam session open to all musicians present.
• 8:00 PM — Evening Vigil with Jean-Claude Botton and present musicians · Village Hall — Songs, dance music, stories, and short forms shared collectively.

In parallel with the concerts and traditional dances, the festival hosted «Knowledge Sharing» workshops on Saturday and Sunday mornings, a luthier market, and food stalls throughout the weekend.

• 39th edition of a festival established in the traditional music landscape since 1987
• Three evenings of concerts + traditional dances in the Village Hall
• Dialogue between traditions from Poitou, Gascogne, Quercy, Auvergne, Upper Brittany, and Reunion maloya
• Luthier market and «Knowledge Sharing» workshops
• Closing evening vigil with Jean-Claude Botton and all present musicians