Folkiri Festival (Le Mans)Festival Folkiri

A two-day traditional folk music and dance festival in the Le Mans area. Each October, communities gather for evening bal-folk dances and workshops at Les Saulnières hall. Bands and dance masters lead performances of regional folk dances, while attendees of all ages join in the communal celebrations 1 2.

Rooted in regional music and dance traditions, Folkiri reinforces local identity through folk culture. It reflects a resurgence of interest in France's traditional rural arts, with workshops on instruments like the diatonic accordion and dances from Poitou. The festival mobilizes local folk ensembles and community groups, often involving multi-generational participation.