Pipasso Festival

The pipasso, musical soul of Picardy

The pipasso — or Picardy bagpipes — is the emblematic instrument of the musical tradition of northern France. This wind instrument, a cousin of the Breton biniou and the Galician gaïta, produces a soft and enchanting sound that once accompanied the festivals, balls, and ceremonies of the Picardy countryside. Long threatened with extinction, the pipasso has experienced a remarkable revival since the 1980s thanks to passionate musicians who have undertaken to resurrect it, play it, and pass it on.

AMUSéON: the company that keeps tradition alive

The Pipasso Festival is driven by the AMUSéON company, a professional performing arts company based in Abbeville. Founded and directed by musicians specializing in the traditional music of Picardy and northern France, AMUSéON works throughout the year to keep Picardy's musical heritage alive as living and contemporary music. The company produces shows, albums, educational workshops, and organizes the Pipasso Festival as a highlight of its cultural activities.

A festival between concert and ball

The festival unfolds over a September weekend with an original and friendly format. On Friday evening, a traditional music concert is held at the Espace Culturel Saint-André in Abbeville, bringing together AMUSéON and guest musicians from other traditions. On Saturday evening, a grand traditional ball is organized at Le Chiffon Rouge in Flixecourt, featuring Picardy dances, Gascon dances, Italian dances, and music from around the world, in a festive and participatory atmosphere.

Musical encounters between regions

The strength of the Pipasso Festival lies in its ability to create dialogue between traditions. Each edition invites musicians from other regions — Gascony, the Italian Apennines, Brittany, Ireland — to cross-reference repertoires and sounds. In 2025, the duo Stefano Valla (piffero) and Daniele Scurati (accordion) brought the musical tradition of the Apennines, while Thouxazun resonated with Gascon music. These encounters create unprecedented musical moments where traditions respond to and reinvent themselves.