European Folk Day is the milestone for everyone in the world of folk music to show that we can come together and that we are an essential part of Europe’s rich cultural spectrum. Folk music has been characterised by an absence of structures that other sectors, such as classical music, theatre, opera or jazz, have. This has made it difficult for the traditional arts to be considered in decisions which may impact how they continue in the future. The European Folk Network (EFN) was born to solve this shortcoming and European Folk Day is a key initiative aligned with this mission. European Folk Day affirms the importance of Europe’s communities and traditions and supports continued resilience and collective action.
EFD 2025
In celebration of European Folk Day 2025, we produced a video series showcasing Welsh songs, tunes, and stories with some of Wales’ finest tradition bearers; commissioned and funded by Welsh Government. You can find the first video here and the full playlist on our YouTube. We have also created a Spotify playlist of Welsh folk music, featuring songs and tunes selected by our leaders.
EFD 2024
In 2024, we joined forces with cultural organisations Lowender in Cornwall and Culture Vannin in the Isle of Man to offer a selection of tunes and songs from each of our nations’ traditions – all connected to one theme, the sea. This collaboration encourages you to learn something new from our fellow Celtic neighbours – be it a song, a tune, or perhaps a bit of language – and showcase what you’ve learnt with us on social media. Click below for the scores & lyrics and our YouTube playlist here!
