Festival International facts for kids
The Festival International de Louisiane is a big music and arts festival. It happens every year in Lafayette, Louisiana. This festival celebrates the French heritage of the area. It also shows how Louisiana is connected to the French-speaking world. The festival started in 1987. It has grown very popular since then. Many musicians, artists, and craftspeople from all over the world come to perform. The festival takes place outdoors in Downtown Lafayette. It is held during the last full weekend in April. The best part is that it is completely free for everyone to enjoy! In 2016, about 400,000 people attended. The festival was even named the "Best World Music Festival" by About.com readers in 2012 and 2013. In 2020, the festival had to be a virtual event. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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What the Festival Aims to Do
The main goals of the Festival International are:
To make the community richer by celebrating its local cultures through music and art. To teach people about the history and art of cultures from all over the world. To help culture and tourism grow, making Louisiana known as a great place for art and events.
Connecting Through French Language
Many French speakers live in the south-central part of Louisiana. This area is known as Acadiana. A lot of the local music, especially by Cajun and Creole artists, uses French words. Even radio and TV hosts often speak both English and French. This shows how common French speakers are in older, rural areas. French immersion programs in schools also help keep the language alive. They also help connect the area to other French-speaking places worldwide. The Festival International really highlights Acadiana's link to the global French-speaking community. Big media groups like Radio Canada and TV5Monde have even covered the event.
Artists Who Have Performed
The festival brings in talented musicians from all corners of the globe. Here are some of the artists who have performed:
- Balkan Beat Box — Israel
- Bonerama - United States
- Ceux Qui Marchent Debout — France
- Cyro Baptista — Brazil
- Maria de Barros — Cape Verde
- BeauSoleil — United States
- Bomba Estéreo - Colombia
- La Bottine Souriante — Quebec
- Boukman Eksperyans - Haiti
- Buckwheat Zydeco — United States
- DakhaBrakha - Ukraine
- Dominique Dupuis — New Brunswick
- The Duhks - Canada
- Gangbé Brass Band — Benin
- Henry Gray and the Cats — United States
- The Hooten Hallers - Missouri, United States
- Dr. John — United States
- Keb' Mo' — United States
- Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble — Toronto
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo — South Africa
- Locos Por Juana — United States
- Los Lobos - California, United States
- The Lost Bayou Ramblers — United States
- MarchFourth Marching Band — United States
- Mousta Largo — Belgium
- Robert Randolph and the Family Band - United States
- Sergent Garcia - France
- Seun Kuti - Nigeria
- Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - United States
- Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys — United States
- Skatalites — Jamaica
- Steel Pulse — England
- Suroît — Magdalen Islands, Quebec
- Tinariwen — Mali
- Toubab Krewe — United States
- Le Trou Normand — France
- Väsen — Sweden
- The Wailers Band — Jamaica
- Yerba Buena — Cuba
- Les Yeux Noirs — France
Festival Fun and Facts
Festival International de Louisiane offers many types of music. It also has performers and vendors from all over the world. It is free to get into the festival. The event gets its support from donors, volunteers, and people who buy a special pin. There are more than four stages for music. There is also a special area just for kids. The festival celebrates international cultures. It happens on the last weekend of April. The opening ceremonies are on Wednesday evening. The festival ends on Sunday evening with a big music jam. Almost all of the festival (90%) is run by amazing volunteers.
