CIOFF International

17/10/2026

🌍 Living Heritage, Living Cultures

On 17 October, we celebrate the International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage — a day dedicated to the living traditions, knowledge, skills and practices that connect us to our roots and to one another.

From traditional music and dance to crafts, rituals, festive events and oral traditions, our living heritage reflects the diversity of our communities and the creativity of generations before us.

At CIOFF® International, we believe that safeguarding cultural heritage means keeping it alive — by sharing it, practising it and passing it on to future generations.

✨ Every tradition tells a story. Every community keeps it alive.

📲 Share your tradition with us and show the world what living heritage means to you!

🌿 Our heritage. Our identity. Our future.

13/10/2026

As the CIOFF® International EXCO and Council Meetings come to a close in Panama, we leave with far more than the work we came to accomplish. We leave with a deeper connection to the people and the heart of this beautiful country.

Our time together brought unexpected challenges. An earthquake, government building closures, and sudden changes to our plans reminded us how quickly circumstances can change. Yet, through it all, our work continued.

With dedication and a shared commitment, we carried forward the important work of CIOFF® International on behalf of our members, our organization, our festivals, and performing groups, strengthening our collective mission of peace through cultural education, understanding, and exchange.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Eduardo Hansell, CIOFF® Panama, and the Ministry of Culture for their gracious hospitality, generosity, and unwavering care.

What began as international meetings became something far more meaningful. These unexpected circumstances brought us closer to the people of Panama and to one another, reminding us that the true strength of CIOFF lies not only in the work we accomplish, but in the human connections we create.

Perhaps the greatest blessing of these unexpected days was the opportunity to experience the heart of Panama beyond its celebrations and traditions, through the resilience, kindness, and humanity of its people.

Panama gave us its heart, and as we depart, we leave pieces of our own behind. ❤️

Until we meet again, gracias, Panamá. 🇵🇦

10/10/2026

In the wake of the recent and reoccurring earthquakes in Panama, and unexpected government building closures have required us to adapt our CIOFF International Council meetings.

Thanks to our dear host, CIOFF Panama and the gracious hospitality of Eduardo Hansell, we are continuing our work from his home.

Another meaningful reminder that CIOFF is more than an organization. It is a global family, united by friendship, resilience, and our shared commitment to building a culture of peace, opening our hearts, homes and families.

Our heartfelt gratitude to Eduardo and our Panamanian hosts for their extraordinary warmth and generosity during these unexpected circumstances.

10/10/2026

10/10/2026

Last night, CIOFF leadership celebrated Panamanian culture together. Today, we are grateful to share that we are safe following the earthquake in Panama and surrounding areas.

We are thinking of everyone affected and remain mindful of the concern felt by families, friends, and communities near and far.

As CIOFF International Council members gathered from different countries, we were reminded that our work is also about building relationships, understanding one another, and supporting each other during difficult moments. We were especially moved by the messages of concern sent by our loved ones and friends around the world.

Our thoughts are with the people of Panama, surrounding communities, and all those affected.

Culture brings us closer. Compassion reminds us why. ❤️

08/10/2026

Today, members of the CIOFF® International Council explored Panama’s history and cultural heritage through an educational visit to the Museo del Canal in Panama City.

Education is essential to the preservation, transmission, and evolution of intangible cultural heritage. Through learning and cultural exchange, we deepen our understanding of the traditions, knowledge, and experiences that shape communities and connect generations.

El patrimonio cultural vive cuando se comparte, se aprende y se transmite a las nuevas generaciones.

L’éducation et les échanges culturels permettent à notre patrimoine vivant d’évoluer tout en préservant ses racines.

At the heart of CIOFF® International is the belief that cultural heritage is not simply something we inherit, but something we actively learn, practice, and carry forward.

08/10/2026

🇵🇦 The CIOFF® International Executive Committee (EXCO) and Council Meetings have officially commenced in Panama City, Panama!

¡Unidos por la cultura! CIOFF International Leadership from around the world come together to strengthen collaboration, celebrate our shared cultural heritage, and advance our mission of building a culture of peace.

Ensemble, nous construisons des ponts entre les cultures, favorisant la compréhension, le respect et l’amitié entre les peuples.

A heartfelt thank you to our gracious hosts, CIOFF® Panama National Section. ¡Gracias por su cálida hospitalidad!

United through culture. Unidos por la cultura. Unis par la culture.

05/10/2026

CIOFF® Cultural Commission at Work in Slovakia 🇸🇰

From September 17–21, 2026, the CIOFF® Cultural Commission gathered in Slovakia, bringing together members, external experts and folklore scholars united by a shared commitment to our global CIOFF® members and purpose of community.

Led by Chair Katarína Babčáková, the Commission dedicated its time and expertise to developing practical resources for our festivals and National Sections, with a focus on education, living heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage in accordance with the UNESCO 2003 Convention.

The program also created opportunities to learn directly from Slovak cultural institutions, artisans and communities, exchanging knowledge, experiences and best practices.

Behind the work of our CIOFF® Commissions are people who generously dedicate their time, knowledge and passion to strengthening collaboration across borders. We are grateful for their commitment to supporting all of us as members and building an even stronger global CIOFF® network together.

21/08/2026

We celebrate World Folklore Day - August 22, 2026 and the living traditions that connect generations, communities, and cultures around the world.

Folklore lives in our dances, our music, our stories, our crafts, our celebrations, our food, and the traditions we carry forward. It reminds us where we come from while creating bridges of understanding between people.

Hoy celebramos el Día Mundial del Folclore, honrando las tradiciones vivas, las historias, la música y las expresiones culturales que forman parte de nuestra identidad y que compartimos de generación en generación.

Aujourd’hui, nous célébrons la Journée Mondiale du Folklore, en mettant à l’honneur les traditions vivantes, les histoires, les musiques et le patrimoine culturel qui nous rassemblent au-delà des frontières.

Across the CIOFF® family, every National Section represents unique traditions and stories that are part of our shared global heritage.

We invite all CIOFF® National Sections, Partner Members, festivals, groups, and members to celebrate with us today. Share your own traditions, performances, stories, photos, or videos and tag CIOFF® International so we can share your celebrations and bring the world of folklore together.

Celebremos juntos. Célébrons ensemble. Let us celebrate together.

One world. Many cultures. Countless traditions.
Together, we keep folklore and the stories alive.

30/06/2026

🌍 Festival Season Has Officially Begun!

The world is dancing, singing, and celebrating Intangible Cultural Heritage once again, and we want YOU to take us along for the journey!

This festival season, the CIOFF® International Youth Movement and members of our Commissions will be shareing moments from festivals across the globe, giving you a front row seat to the friendships, traditions, and cultural exchanges that make the CIOFF® family so special.

📸 Performing at a CIOFF® festival?
🎭 Hosting a group?
🤝 Making new international friendships?
🎶 Celebrating your culture?

We want to see it all!

From performances and parades to workshops, local traditions, and lifelong friendships, show us your festival through your eyes.

Tag:
🌎 Your CIOFF® Group
🏛️ Your CIOFF® National Section or Partner Member
🌍

Use for a chance to be featured on our official social media channels!

Not yet part of the CIOFF® family? With 229 CIOFF® festivals and 893 folk groups featured on the CIOFF® International website, our worldwide network is dedicated to safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage through festivals, cultural exchange, and friendship. Contact your CIOFF® National Section or Partner Member to learn more.

📝 Festival Organizers: Please remember to complete the official CIOFF® Post Festival Survey when your festival concludes.

🌍 Now it’s your turn!

📍 Tell us which festival you’re attending.
🌎 Which country are you representing?
📸 Tag us in your photos and videos.
🤝 Tag three festival friends to join the celebration!

Happy Travels & We looking forward to your festival being featured next!

IntangibleCulturalHeritage