FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE lOUISIANE
2008 Recipient
International Achievement Award
Festival International de Louisiane is a community-based, non-profit arts organization formed in 1986 to produce an annual visual and performing arts festival celebrating the French cultural heritage of southern Louisiana – primarily a combination of French, African, Caribbean and Hispanic influences. The largest outdoor, free Francophone event in the U.S., the Festival places special emphasis on highlighting the connections between Acadiana and the Francophone world. Each year performing, visual and culinary artists from Europe, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean and the Americas are invited to share their talents with Louisiana artists, residents and visitors.
Festival’s mission statement says it all: this dedicated professional staff and extensive crew of volunteers from throughout our community enrich Lafayette and Acadiana by celebrating our native culture. They 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 our region through the presentation of an internationally recognized arts event, and promote cultural exchange on a national and international level.
Festival’s economic impact is now estimated to approach the $20 million mark. In 2007, attendance exceeded 350,000, with visitors from over 40 states and 35 countries. But the Festival’s economic impact extends much further: for many of the international performers over the years, an appearance at the Festival has been their first U.S. American performance, and has led to contacts, contracts and appearances elsewhere. Additionally, a three-year old component of the Festival, the Louisiana International Music Exchange (LIME) creates jobs and futures for Acadiana musicians, who can interact with presenters, agents, labels and distributors at this expo-style event.
Since its creation, Festival International de Louisiane has become famous as a premier presenter of some of the most unique world musicians and performances in the United States. Popular Louisiana artists such as Aaron Neville, Irma Thomas, Allan Toussaint, Zachary Richard, Sonny Landreth, Beausoleil, Buckwheat Zydeco, Boozoo Chavis, Amedee "Bois Sec" Ardoin, D.L. Menard, Terrance Simien, C.J. Chenier, Geno Delafose, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Canray Fontenot and Buddy Guy have all performed on Festival’s stages.
On an international level, the range of countries represented over the years is astounding. It includes Australia, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Republic of the Congo, Cuba, England, Ethiopia, France, Ireland, Mali, Martinique, Puerto Rico, the Reunion Islands, and South Africa.
Festival International de Louisiane represents an enormous collective effort on the part of approximately 1,500 volunteers from throughout our community. Considering its 22-year history, this adds up to a tremendous amount of community spirit and support, as well as an unbeatable record of personalized goodwill ambassadorship between Acadiana and the world.
According to Festival’s Executive Director, Dana Cañedo, “Our focus is on emerging artists, and for many of the international musicians, their first U.S. performance occurred right here in Lafayette, Louisiana. Of all the arts, music is the one that brings us all together. Festival has been led to this moment by the dedication and commitment of thousands of people over the past 22 years. The peaks and valleys we have traversed have made Festival International de Louisiane what it is today, and we are very honored to be selected to receive the 2008 International Achievement Award, especially at a time when increasing emphasis is being placed on Lafayette’s role in the global economy.”