The Festival since its creation

In the French cultural background, the history of the Aurillac Festival is very unconventional. Since its creation in 1986 the Festival, voluntarily set into a rural territory, stands out as one of the major events of the living arts not only in France -a reference festival to the public authorities-, but also on an European and international scale in terms of street arts.

While opening its programme to very different forms, first Michel Crespin, then Jean-Marie Songy and their teams created strong and long-lasting relationship with the artists. This Festival has been built thanks to and with the artists of this sector of the living arts. Since the beginning, the number of companies steadily increased: in 1986, Aurillac welcomed 6 official companies and 1 “off” company; now, the official programme brings together about 20 companies and this programme is recognized for both its quality and the way it is opened to all and to every kind of expression. At the same time, about 500 companies are coming to make up the great fair of street arts.

During these 4 days, the Aurillac Festival opens every street, square, public garden and the city area to the street artists and to some 100,000 visitors to offer a rich and exciting programme open to international creations. Since its creation in 1986, the Festival programs French and foreign companies - now about 15 companies - and attempts to welcome all the artists who wish to perform in Aurillac. About 500 companies gather at the Rendezvous of the “off” companies and turn the Aurillac Festival into a special event of artistic creation, research and circulation.

The Festival has a massive success: during the Festival, the Aurillac population increases three folds, more than 100,000 persons meet and pass during these 4 days. It's a very diversified audience, intergenerational and with all social classes mixed.
At the same time, the inhabitants of the Aurillac area have made the Festival their own. Throughout the 20 editions a local and enlightened audience has merged and this audience is now fond of theatre. This has been demonstrated by the immediate and increasing success of “The Preliminaries” (Les Préalables), started in 1999, which proposes shows out of the Festival time in the cities and villages of Aurillac area, in the Cantal and in Auvergne.

In 2004, the Association ECLAT, producer of the Festival, equipped itself with the "PARAPLUIE - International centre of artistic creation, research and influence for the street theatre" and first ”lieu de fabrique” (making place) entirely conceived for street theatre. Located in Naucelles, on the Community of Aurillac built-up area, “The Parapluie” is composed of genuine work spaces (specific workshops, rehearsal studios and an outdoor space fitting for big tops) and so allows the companies welcomed in residence to create and implement the shows they planned. On top of the accommodation, this ”lieu de fabrique” gives the Aurillac Festival the means to welcome and accompany the artists throughout the process of creation all year long.