ABOUT US
World Folk Festival is the world’s largest live Punjabi folk dances and music competition.
World Folk Festival is presented by International Punjabi Folk Arts Society (IPFA) which is an organization committed to promoting and preserving Punjabi folk arts, culture and tradition on a global scale. IPFA’s founding committee members are located around the world in India, Canada, USA, UK, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and more. Members of IPFA are Bhangra dancers, coaches, and professionals who come with years of knowledge and experience in Bhangra and Punjabi culture.
IPFA is hosting the second annual World Folk Festival 2024, showcasing some of the best Punjabi folk music and dance talent in the world. The event World Folk Festival will take place on October 11, 12, and 13, 2024 at the Bell Performing Arts Centre in Surrey, BC.
World Folk Festival is a unique, first of its kind type of event that showcases different aspects of Punjabi folk arts like youth and adult Bhangra and Gidha competitions, Punjabi singing competitions, Punjabi orchestra, and other traditional Punjabi folk dances competitions. World Folk Festival’s mission is to fortify and foster Punjabi identity in the community and provide a platform for performers to showcase their talent in a way that has never been offered before in North America. World Folk Festival has a global reach and had over 90 teams and over 800 participants who travelled from around the world to participate in over 30 unique folk dances and music categories.
RECAP OF 2023
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20+ Categories
Our team wanted to provide new and exciting opportunities for the community to further promote Punjabi folk arts. In 2023, we introduced over 20 categories such as Bhangra, Gidha, Luddi, Jhoomer, Jindua, Malwai Gidha, Folk Songs, and Folk Orchestra in both Senior and Junior categories to give everyone – regardless of age – a chance to participate. Many of these categories were never offered at a competitive level outside of India before. We changed that.
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90+ Teams
We are proud to have hosted over 90 teams from around the world to participate at World Folk Festival 2023 over the span of 3 days (and one additional virtual competition day).
We had teams from Punjab, India, Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, USA, and Canada – many of whom travelled to Vancouver, Canada for this incredible opportunity.
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800+ Participants
With 90+ teams came 800+ participants who took the stage at World Folk Festival 2023. With many of our categories being Juniors under the age of 17, we welcomed many parents and supporters who travelled alongside their teams to help make this event a tremendous success. We truly appreciate all the long hours, dedication, and sacrifice of each and every one who participated at World Folk Festival 2023.
