When:
World Folklore Festival 2026
From August 27 to 30, 2026, Gorizia transforms into a global cultural hub for the 54th World Folklore Festival. Recognized by CIOFF®, this prestigious international festival fills the city's streets with vibrant music, traditional dance, and worldwide folk heritage.
The historic backdrop of Piazza della Vittoria and downtown Gorizia will welcome artistic delegations from across the globe for five days dedicated to cultural exchange and international friendship.
Organized by the Etnos Cultural Association alongside the Municipality of Gorizia, and honored with the Medal of the President of the Italian Republic, the event features evening performances, street animations, and a colorful international parade.
Alongside the closing Grand Gala, the festival will also host the 50th Congress of Popular Traditions, cementing its position as a vital forum for celebrating and preserving global intangible heritage.
PLAN
Thursday, August 27
Victory Square
8.30 pm - Opening ceremony of the Festival , with greetings from the Authorities and the lighting of the fire of friendship
Musical accompaniment by the Royal Burgh of Renfrew Pipe Band from Scotland
Greetings from the local groups Santa Gorizia, Danzerini di Lucinico and Michele Grion di Capriva
Video introduction and performance of folk groups from Croatia, Ukraine, Hungary, USA, Scotland
Together with the flag-wavers of the Cori districts
Friday, August 28
Victory Square
8:30 PM – Music in the square with Il Misadattato and his band
9:00 PM – “Dance with us!” – Folk groups perform for the public: folklore takes to the streets
Saturday, August 29
9.00 am – Council Chamber, former Provincial Building, Corso Italia 55
50th Congress of Popular Traditions open to the public
“Brother Sun, Sister Earth” – Use and Respect for Nature in Popular Tradition – 800th Anniversary of the Death of St. Francis of Assisi (1226-2026)
6:00 PM – In front of the former Provincial Building, Corso Italia 55
Gathering of folk groups, bands and musical ensembles
6:30 pm – Departure of the 59th International Folklore Parade
from in front of the former Provincial Palace, Corso Italia 55, through Corso Italia, Corso Verdi, via Oberdan, arriving in Piazza Vittoria
9:00 PM - Piazza Vittoria
Performance by all the folk groups and presentation of the Sergio Piemonti Memorial plaque
Performance by the Chino Ermacora Folk Group of Tarcento and the Castellani Folk Dancers of Castel San Pietro Terme (Emilia Romagna)
Sunday, August 30th
10:30 a.m. – Public Gardens on Corso Verdi
exchange of gifts between the Organization and the participating groups
11.00 am – concert of the “Eisenbahner Stadtkapelle” in Lienz
7:00 PM – Piazza Vittoria
Bring Musica, C Wonder with The Greatest Showman – a performance by students of the Musical Theatre School of Gorizia
7:45 PM – Piazza Vittoria
Triskell Itinerante - Celtic music concert with Celtic Pixie
9:00 PM - Victory Square
Folklore Grand Gala – performances by all the folk groups, presentation of the Folklore Oscars and the “Tullio Tentori Anthropological Award”
Presentation of the Sympathy Award with public vote
The evening ended with the Remengo Brothers
In case of bad weather, all shows will be held at the Teatro Verdi
For updates: Etnosgorizia
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