History of Festival International de Louisiane (FIL)

Since I participate as an artist every year at FIL, I thought I would share a little bit of the history of this wonderful festival. 

Did you know that FIL is the largest outdoor, FREE Francophone event in the U.S? Herman Mhire, a Distinguished Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, is the founding president of FIL, which began in

1986 as a community-supported, non-profit organization whose goal was to produce an annual visual and performing arts festival celebrating the French cultural heritage of southern Louisiana.  FIL emphasizes the connections between Acadiana and the Francophone world; each year, musical artists from Europe, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean and the Americas come to Lafayette, Louisiana to share their talents with the community.                             

The original missions of the FIL were to enrich the community with a celebration of its native cultures through performing arts, educate the public of the achievements and artistic expressions of related global cultures, to develop culture and tourism, and to enhance economic development by expanding Lafayette’s reputation as an arts center and a destination for artistic events.

Originally primarily a musical event, FIL also now features workshops, theater and visual artists who are primarily members of the Louisiana Crafts Guild.  The Marché des Arts, the FIL Fine Arts Market, showcases artists from all over the country. You will find handmade artisan jewelry, pottery, and many other handcrafted items.

In the Marché du Monde, FIL’s World Market, you will find commercial imports such as sculptures, art, clothing, jewelry, ceramics, paintings, photography, instruments and much more.

Click here to see the complete list of artists for the FIL2015 Marche des Arts (handmade art/craft):  http://festivalinternational.org/artists-eats/marche-des-arts/

Click here to see the list of vendors for FIL2015 Marche du Monde (commercial imports): http://festivalinternational.org/artists-eats/marche-du-monde-hidden/

This link will take you to the complete musical schedule for FIL2015:  http://lineup.festivalinternational.org/events/2015/04/22/



#FIL2015