18th Fiesta Folkloriada

PRESENTED BY:

Cultural Center of the Philippines

in collaboration with the Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation Inc.,

National Commission for Culture and the Arts

and Federation of the International Dance Festivals (FIDAF)

DATE/TIME/VENUE:

December 6, 2024

CCP @ the Rizal Park

Lawn B, Central Section, Rizal Park, Luneta, Manila.

DESCRIPTION:

Bringing culture and education together through music and dances,” Fiesta” is Bayanihan’s contribution to strengthen peace and respect for other nations’ customs and traditions, thereby encouraging unity in diversity. A project of the Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation , Fiesta is now on its 18th year. This festival was initially called “Lawiswis” and presented mainly in the city of Manila, hosted by then Mayor Lito Atienza Bayanihan started with an event inviting ten top dance companies that successfully shared their unique cultural traditions and performed in a grand finale with the Bayanihan.

In 2008, fully supported by the Department of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, the Amb. Alfonso T. Yuchengco Foundation, Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation, universities, public and private organizations and our local government partners the festival was renamed Fiesta Folkloriada Bayanihan successfully brought together five top dance companies from around the globe to continue sharing their culture and unique traditional art to the Philippine audience. Fiesta is held every December of each year in various settings or destinations and culminates in a grand finale at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

This ongoing culture exchange cum public relations program is now under the auspices of the FIDAF (The federation for International Dance Festivals) thereby making a significant presence in the world market, as top international groups vie to come to the Philippines one year before the event. Selected on the strength of its track record in the international scene and on a first come first served basis, the visiting groups willingly perform, teach and share for free in all performance venues. Bayanihan has received repeat visits from the foreign groups. A wonderful signal of the satisfaction they derive from the Philippine visit and the enjoyment it gives in their cultural exchanges and the sharing of new ideas.

This year, dance companies from Bulgaria, Guam, Kazakhstans and Malaysia will participate in the one week “Fiesta” and will surely regale once again both the local and foreign guests during the festive month of December.The grand finale which will have a back to back with the Bayanihan, the National Dance Company of the Philippines will be at the Lawn B, Central Section, Rizal Park, Luneta, Manila on December 6, 2024 at 6pm.