Festival International

The Festival International de Louisiane is an annual music and arts festival held in Lafayette, Louisiana celebrating the French heritage of the region. The festival was first held in 1987 and has become very popular, attracting musicians, artists, and craftsmen from around the world. The festival is held outdoors in the spring, usually in April, and is free to the public, drawing about 300,000 attendees.

The stated mission of the festival is to:

:"Enrich the community by celebrating its native culture; educate the public to the historical achievements and artistic expressions of related global cultures; encourage an appreciation for the arts; enhance the economic development of the Acadiana region through the presentation of an internationally recognized arts event; promote cultural exchange on a national and international level." [http://www.festivalinternational.com/site16.php]

Participating artists

The festival draws musicians from around the world. Past performers include:
*Cyro Baptista — Brazil
*La Bottine Souriante — Quebec
*Buckwheat Zydeco — United States
*Beausoleil — United States
*Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble — Toronto
*Yerba Buena — Cuba
*Suroît — Îles-de-la-Madeleine
*Dominique Dupuis — New Brunswick
*Gangbé Brass Band — Benin
*Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys — United States
*Mousta Largo — Belgium
*Tinariwen — Mali
*Väsen — Sweden
*Le Trou Normand — France
*Maria de Barros — Cape Verde
*Skatalites — Jamaica
*Les Yeux Noirs -- France

Criticisms of the event

Despite promotion as an event to celebrate French Cajun culture in Louisiana, criticisms exist due to the lack of French language services, accommodations and information. Francophone attendees and tourists are said to have a hard time getting service in French from the event's commercial sponsors such as hotels. Despite the official status of French, the Louisiana Office of Tourism doesn't even print materials, such as maps and tour guides, in French.

ee also

Cultures
*Acadian
*Cajun
*Louisiana Creole peopleMusic
*Cajun music
*Music of Louisiana
*Zydeco

External links

* [http://www.festivalinternational.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.krvs.org/ KRVS 88.7] public radio; KRVS broadcasts the festival