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CIOFF^® is an Official Partner of UNESCO, accredited to the UNESCO ICH Committee. Created in 1970, the duty of CIOFF^® is safeguarding, promotion and diffusion of traditional culture and folklore.

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INSIDE THE 5th CIOFF® FOLKLORIADA

Zacatecas, Mexico is the 2016 location for the 5th CIOFF® Folkloriada, the grand “Olympiad” of folklore, minus the competition that characterizes the sports-based Olympics, which is also held every four years. More than 1,500 artists from 50 countries will give life to this great cultural sampler of folklore, taking place in a Latin American country for the first time. Cultural delegations from all the world’s continents will share music, dance, songs, rituals, handicrafts, and traditional games with audiences throughout the 2016 CIOFF® Folkloriada Festival. Numerous exhibitions and forums will be held in addition to the shows and parades that make up the broad program of this 5th Folkloriada. The first CIOFF® Folkloriada was held in Holland, the second in Japan, the third in Hungary, and the fourth in Korea. Mexico’s role as the 5th country to host this international cultural Festival includes events and activities in various states of the country, involving all performing groups invited to participate in the 2016 Folkloriada. For A Culture of Peace Today’s world is in turmoil—it seems there is no respect for life, let alone culture, which is reflected in all too frequent terrorist attacks. However, CIOFF® remains a strong symbol of peace in support of preserving and sharing the world’s diverse cultures. The International Council of Organizations for Folklore Festivals and Traditional Arts’ (CIOFF®) motto is "a Culture of Peace.” The President of CIOFF®, Mr. Philippe Beaussant, will focus his presentations on this topic during Folkloriada, and repeat this message of peace throughout the festival, during forums, official acts, and press interviews. The intent is to maximize Folkloriada audience exposure to the message of peace shared by the members of CIOFF® throughout the world in 111 countries. (Display the following...)

Folkloriada Activities In the capital of the State of Zacatecas as in other cities, audiences will enjoy performances of the artistic groups on multiple stages. A forum for young people in CIOFF® and a forum for directors of the artistic groups will be included in Folkloriada activities. Various spaces have been prepared to house exhibitions of traditional musical instruments of the world, Mexican embroidery, photographs of traditional crafts in danger of extinction, popular cultural games, shows and artisan workshops. Parades are planned to span two festival entrances through the main streets of the city, representing the "Patrimony of Humanity” from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNESCO and CIOFF® work in partnership throughout the year to preserve cultural diversity. The official opening of Folkloriada 2016 takes place in a football stadium on July 30 with closing ceremonies to follow on August 7. Both opening and closing ceremonies will feature Mexican dignitaries, officials of foreign countries and special guests. Speakers will present to world audiences the important work of CIOFF® and other cultural advocates to preserve and promote cultural diversity through traditional folk dance and craft.