Win tickets to the International Folklore Festival in Namur

‘Folklore equals friendship’ is the hospitable slogan of the International Foklore Festival staged in Namur from 15 to 18 August.

For its 63rd edition, the annual event welcomes folklore groups from four continents in a celebration of cultural diversity that encompasses music, dance and local traditions.

Among the participating nations is Guam, which is making its first ever appearance at the festival. The pacific island is joined by groups from India, North Macedonia, Mexico and Slovakia, as well as troupes from Flanders and Wallonia.

Festival president Ann Leon says the festival is an opportunity for spectators to enjoy a colouful and memorable journey around the world. Heading a small but impassioned volunteer team, she underlines the diversity and richness of Namur’s foklore scene and the festival’s important role in safeguarding regional folklore heritage.

The event was created in 1958 to showcase the country’s folklore heritage as a spin-off of Belgium’s World Fair, recounts Leon. “Over the years, it enlarged its horizons to countries further afield.”

If folklore is a tradition that is anchored in the Walloon capital, she nevertheless worries about its future. “The heritage is under threat because the young say it’s old fashioned and threre is a risk we will lose our collective identity,” says the president.

All of the folklore troupes will be performing in the multisports hall of the Athenée Royal de Jambes, as well as in free events around the city. These include appearances at Namur’s weekly market along the quayside of the Sambre river and in Place d’Armes on Saturday morning. They will also entertain the crowds at Jambes’ flea market and in Place de la Wallonie on Sunday morning.

International Foklore Festival
15 to 18 August
Athenée Royal de Jambes
Rue de Géronsart 150
Namur-Jambes

Photos: Guam © Groupe Inetnon Gefpa’go; Wallonia (Namur) ©Société royale Moncrabeau/Marc Antoine

Win tickets for foklore shows on 15 August at 19.30 and Sunday 17 August at 15.00.