‘La Fete de la Vielle en Morvan’ is an annual festival being held 15 – 19 August in Anost, a typical Morvan village in the Saône et Loire, totally dedicated to the ancient Hurdy Gurdy instrument and traditional French music.
In the 19th century the Hurdy Gurdy was a popular instrument with many players throughout the area and, located in the Morvan, Anost has for the last 30 years held the festival to maintain the important, traditional culture.
The festival attracts around 20,000 visitors who enjoy a weekend of dances, concerts, meeting instrument makers and the chance to try the instruments. Musicians of bagpipes, violins, diatonic accordion and the Hurdy Gurdy will be performing in concerts, giving classes and playing throughout the village in pubs, on street corners; in fact anywhere a musician can find to play!
Each year another region is invited to perform this year Le Chaleuil dau pays niortais from Poitou Charantes, an association which has been in existence since 1977, Patrick Bouffard and La Chavanée from the Auvergne are the guest regional players. Guest players from other countries are also appearing Paco Diez, Spain, Galandum Galandaina, Portugal and Paravent, Switzerland, have been invited to take part. Each region and country brings its own unique interpretation to the concerts which will take place over the five days.
The organisers, UGMM (Union des Groupes et Ménétriers du Morvan) is a religious organisation, governed by the law of 1901, charged with promoting the oral traditions of the Morvan; traditional music, songs, folktales, language and the traditional dances.
Their aim is to pass on information regarding music and dance, organise and appear at cultural events and arrange activities and workshops for the teaching of instrument playing and dances. Since July 2006, UGMM, have had a shop in the centre of Anost where you can find a range of about sixty different CDs, scores, books, cassettes and DVDs.