Tarba en Canta - International Festival of Polyphony

World Polyphony in Tarbes

Created in 2011, the Tarba en Canta festival celebrates the polyphonic vocal traditions of Southern Europe and beyond each year. Under the artistic direction of Pascal Caumont, a traditional music teacher, the festival invites vocal ensembles from Occitanie, the Basque Country, Corsica, Bulgaria, Sardinia, the Caucasus, and other regions to share their musical heritage in the heart of Tarbes.

Polyphony in the Streets

What makes Tarba en Canta unique is its desire to bring music out of concert halls and closer to the public. The "cantèras"—these moments of spontaneous singing—fill the streets, markets, and public squares of Tarbes. Artists mingle with passersby to share the joy of polyphonic singing in an atmosphere of popular celebration and conviviality.

Prestigious Concerts

In the evenings, concerts are held in the city's emblematic venues: churches, theaters, and performance halls in Tarbes, Ibos, Juillan, and Séméac. The festival hosts internationally renowned ensembles such as the Choeur d'Hommes de Sartène (Corsica), the Eva Quartet (Bulgaria), or Bitchebi (Caucasus-Mediterranean), alongside regional groups perpetuating the Pyrenean polyphonies of Bigorre.

A Living Vocal Heritage

The Pyrenean polyphonies of Bigorre, along with those of Béarn and the Basque Country, form one of the great polyphonic traditions of Southern Europe. The festival contributes to the transmission and valorization of this living vocal heritage by offering masterclasses open to all levels, allowing festival-goers to learn or improve their skills in the art of polyphonic singing.

Organized by Tarbes Tourisme and the Mairie de Tarbes, with the support of the Occitanie Regional Council and partner municipalities, Tarba en Canta has become a must-attend event for all lovers of singing and vocal traditions.