Shortly after the foundation back in 1956, folk art group Die Spelewei vzw organized the first local harvest festival. This event was soon getting bigger and it became the Internationaal Folklorefestival of Westerlo. As such, it is one of the oldest folk dance festivals of Belgium.
In front of the late-19th century castle, the festival is organized every year midst August. Five amateur folk art groups from all over the world take part in this festival to show their culture through traditional dances and music.
Participating dancers and musicians stay in host families. The families became very special for the festival because their hospitality is praised by the participating groups over and over again. In return, these families have a wonderful time with their guests during six days. The visiting groups get a unique chance to experience the Flemish way of life. That is why the folklore festival of Westerlo always is an event never to be forgotten by the participating groups and host families.
Internationaal Folklorefestival Westerlo is a member of CIOFF and IOV. These memberships can be seen as quality labels for our festival.
If your group is interested in participating in our festival. You have to fill in our application document and send it back to us by e-mail to festival@diespelewei.be.
We will contact you in less than a month. You can also find our conditions of participation.
Number of National groups: 2
Number of International groups: 5
Minimum ages participants: 16
Maximum number of participants in a group: 30
Recorded music allowed: No
Accommodation: Host-Families
Traditional Folk Art: Yes
Traditional Folk Music: Yes
Traditional Folk Singing: Yes
Present-day Dancing: No
Workshops dance/music: Yes
Traditional food preparation: No