Festivals and cultural events Pyrénées-Orientales

Under the impetus of the Casa Musicale and the Region and since 1997, the festival was born from the idea of a free event for all highlighting the amateur musicians of the region. Today, Ida y Vuelta has become a must-see event in Perpignan, attracting more than 20,000 people during four days. It features renowned artists but also local, with rock, rap, pop, salsa, metal, hip-hop, world music and drums in the Bronx, without forgetting the Catalan rumba.

Since 1994, the Festival International des Arts du Verre has brought together renowned exhibitors and artists in picturesque premises in the old village, with an emphasis on glassblowing techniques and contemporary creations. Exhibitions, initiations and demonstrations by internationally renowned master glassmakers enliven the heart of the village. All forms of glass art are represented, to introduce the general public to this special art in all its forms.

The first edition of the festival Festa Majorca was a great success! With an eclectic program implemented by Catalan producers with the support of the department, it is in the heart of Perpignan, in the sumptuous palace of the kings of Majorca, that festival-goers can enjoy two enchanted days: traditional wooden games for young and old, sound baths with local tunes, old-fashioned circus, dance and rock scenes, electro as well as sound system... It is about sixty Catalan artists who meet during this beautiful local event.

With tunes from America and South Africa to Europe, you can enjoy world music concerts, street entertainment, parades and various workshops on the folk arts and traditions of the invited countries. In recent years, however, local and regional culture has taken center stage, with exhibitions on the musical instruments of the cobla, and the culinary and folk traditions that make up the cultural richness of the Catalan region.

The Sant Jordi festival in Perpignan is a not-to-be-missed event in the literary world. For 10 days, books are in the spotlight with an attractive program including conferences, exhibitions, shows, book fairs and signings, writing workshops, tributes, film screenings and the Mediterranean prize-giving ceremony... A colorful line-up of events, with a special focus on local figures. The full program is available online.

3 days of traditional Catalan dance in Céret! This dance holds a special place in the hearts of all Roussillon residents. During the festival, you'll be able to meet "colles" (groups of dancers) from the 4 corners of the department and Spanish Catalonia. To the sound of coblas (sardana orchestras), try your hand at this dance or enjoy the music in the streets and squares of the village! The event closes with the "Germanor", a sardana fraternity gathering up to 500 dancers.

An essential image of Catalan identity, a symbol of peace and friendship, a festive and popular dance par excellence, the sardana (in Catalan sardana) is danced in the public squares of the Pyrénées-Orientales and South Catalonia. The sardana is danced in a closed circle alternating, in principle, a man and a woman. During the Francoist period, the sardana was banned in South Catalonia, but as a bravado against the dictatorship, it was still danced until it reached the square in front of Barcelona Cathedral. The sardana was known outside Catalonia thanks to Pablo Casals' "L'oratorio" and Charles Trenet's song "La jolie sardane" composed to music reminiscent of Catalan dance. Finally, it should be noted that Perpignan is in 2019 the international capital of the Sardana.

The Correfocs, literally "the fire runners", are an opportunity to see an unusual facet of Catalonia. At nightfall, the "devil's glue" (groups disguised as devils, demons and witches) run past with spinning Bengal fires planted on spikes, dancing around people to the sound of percussion. Another representation of good versus evil, noise and fire being supposed to drive away demons (found in northern and southern Catalonia from spring to October).

An event that has long life since it has existed since 1936. The Festival Folklorique International d 'Amélie-les-Bains celebrated its 76 th edition in 2018. Every year, it offers an exceptional plateau of 600 artists (or more) from all continents to present folk dance performances on the streets of the 1 st spa resort in the Catalan Country. A show of beauty that ends in apotheosis with a closing gala entitled «The night of continents» in the theater of greenery.

Rivesaltes is a town in the Pyrénées-Orientales department. Among the town's attractions is the La Reja Flamenca dance school. The school offers flamenco dance classes for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Classes are taught by experienced and passionate teachers.