Pau Validé Festival

Pau Validé Festival: Urban Cultures in the Spotlight

The Pau Validé Festival, renamed Pau Arts Urbains (P.A.U.) Festival in 2024, is an event dedicated to urban cultures and street arts in Pau. Under the artistic direction of Mourad Saadi, known as "Nasty", the festival explores the diversity of artistic disciplines born in the street.

Hip-hop, Breaking, Street Art, and More

The festival celebrates all forms of urban culture expression: hip-hop, breaking, street art, fashion, stand-up, eloquence, rap, graffiti, and many other disciplines. As its artistic director summarizes: "Music, stand-up, dance, eloquence, and other disciplines intertwine within the Pau Validé Festival."

A Multi-Venue Festival

Events take place in numerous cultural venues in Pau: the MJC des Fleurs and the MJC du Laü, the Pavillon des Arts, La Forge Moderne, the Pôle culturel du Foirail, the Médiathèque André-Labarrère, and Ampli in Billère. This dispersion throughout the city allows for reaching diverse audiences and introducing urban cultures in different contexts.

A Rich and Varied Program

For about ten days in October, the festival offers breaking battles (regional and international), rap contests (Mic Contest), eloquence masterclasses, concerts, comedy and stand-up shows, street art exhibitions, and hip-hop nights. The program mixes emerging and established artists from the French urban scene.

An Event for Youth and All Audiences

Designed as a showcase of urban art for young people, the festival is also open to all audiences. Masterclasses and workshops allow participants to discover the different disciplines, while battles and concerts offer spectacular moments accessible to everyone. Tickets are available at MJC des Fleurs.