Urbaka is a yearly event in Limoges that attracts tens of thousands of spectators from all over the world. The festival offers chances for performance for thousands of artists, who excel in diverse disciplines of art. This is a festival that brings culture into the streets and closer to day-to-day life of people, thus linking them to it closely.

The Urbaka festival had its first edition in 1989 and thereafter it was conducted every year with added verve. It was originally financed by government institutions in the form of subsidies. However, now the involvement of the state is minimal and the festival depends mainly on the contributions from participants and other agencies.

In the year 1990 Andree Eyrolle, an actress set up the Urbaka Association. The aim of this establishment is research and training in live street performances of various sorts. Eyrolle is the current Artistic Director of the festival. From 2013 the Association works with CEMEA offering advanced training courses for BAFA (Brevet d’Aptitude to host functions). The Urbaka association aims at training, creation and propagation of all kinds of street art. It provides workshops and introductory courses for people of all ages.

This is a street art festival that lasts for four days in late June every year. The 27th edition of this unique festival is scheduled from 22nd June to 25th June 2016. Myriads of artistic companies are expected to perform during these four days. By bringing art and culture to the streets, the festival facilitates a closer link between the same and the common man.
The festival includes performances by world renowned artists from circus, theater, music, dance and other popular arts like, juggling, magic and other visual arts. These performances are there for everyone to enjoy for free. The festival occupies every town square, lawn, street and part, giving these spaces special identities.

For the last 27 years this special festival brings together people and culture closer and strives to enrich the cultural heritage of Limoges. That is why the organizers choose places of everyday life, like streets and squares as venues for performances.

by Marina Chernyak