Vielle Etc

ℹ️ Festival discontinued. Vielle Etc no longer seems to be organized today. The CRMT en Limousin now presents this event as belonging to the 2000-2015 period, and the last publicly documented edition was held on October 17, 2015, in Saint-Georges-Nigremont (16th edition). This page is kept for archival purposes.

A festival dedicated to the hurdy-gurdy and traditional music

Vielle Etc was a festival entirely devoted to the hurdy-gurdy, an emblematic instrument of traditional music from central France, and to traditional music from Limousin and beyond. Created in 2000 by the CRMT en Limousin (Centre Régional des Musiques Traditionnelles), it took place every autumn, around the fourth weekend of October, in the charming village of Saint-Georges-Nigremont.

Luthiers, workshops, and concerts

One of the highlights of the festival was the presence of hurdy-gurdy luthier stands, where they exhibited and showcased their creations and restorations. Visitors could admire the meticulous work of these artisans and listen to the unique sounds of each instrument. The program also included traditional dance workshops, concerts, dances animated by talented musicians, and musical strolls in the village and its surroundings.

An itinerant festival rooted in central France

Launched in 2000 and 2001 between Giat (Puy-de-Dôme) and Saint-Georges-Nigremont (Creuse), the festival expanded from 2002 to several departments. From 2005 to 2010, its Corrèze day was held in Ussel; from 2011, it focused on Fernoël (Puy-de-Dôme) and Saint-Georges-Nigremont. It was part of the tradition of hurdy-gurdy gatherings that permeate central France, the historical territory of this instrument, and had become a popular event for hurdy-gurdy players, dancers, and traditional music lovers.