The IOV Brazil National Meeting represents a unique opportunity to consolidate strategic actions, celebrate Brazil’s rich cultural traditions, strengthen ties among affiliated members, and collaboratively build the work agenda for the 2026–2029 four-year period. The event also marks the five-year celebration of the official registration of the IOV (International Organization of Folklore and Popular Arts) in Brazil.
For five days, the municipality of Olímpia, SP, will host a meeting that will promote dialogue, training, and exchange among IOV members—managers, activists, researchers, teachers, and experts in popular culture—from the five regions of the country. The event will feature authorities from IOV Brazil, as well as professors, administrators, scholars, and representatives from the fields of education, culture, and tourism, bringing together diverse knowledge and experiences surrounding popular and traditional arts.
This meeting proposes a profound reflection on the actions developed by IOV Brazil over the past five years, while also promoting debate on future paths, with a special focus on youth—the protagonists of the new generations.
Under the subtheme “Educating to Transform,” we will provide a space for the exchange of ideas and the collective construction of reflections and arguments about the past, present, and future of popular manifestations in Brazil. IOV reaffirms its commitment to the preservation and dissemination of popular culture, offering support, sharing knowledge, and memories of the cultural expressions of each region: music, dance, theater, crafts, among others.
The event also seeks to value ancestral heritage, foster cultural awareness, and contribute to the development of regional identities. We will take a special look at the future of Brazilian festivals and popular manifestations, considering the challenges and opportunities of this new cycle.
The city of Olímpia, host of this National Meeting, is recognized nationally and internationally for its commitment to promoting traditional cultures through the Olímpia Folklore Festival—one of the largest and most important events of its kind in Brazil. Held annually, the festival brings together folklore groups from all regions of the country, serving as an example of the resilience, celebration, and preservation of Brazilian folklore.
The Olímpia International Folklore Festival serves as an inspiring model for IOV Brazil, promoting cultural exchange between ethnicities, traditional groups, and the public, strengthening a sense of identity, belonging, and respect for cultural diversity. Its history reinforces the importance of actions that unite peoples, knowledge, and traditions, demonstrating the transformative power of folk art and the encounter between cultures.
It is this example of success and cultural commitment that strengthens and inspires IOV’s work in Brazil. On this occasion, we will pay a special tribute to Professor José Sant’Anna (In Memoriam), a Brazilian folklorist who dedicated his life to the study and appreciation of folklore. Founder of the Olímpia Folklore Festival, we will also award the “IOV Personality of Brazilian Folklore” to Professor Maria Aparecida de Araújo Manzolli, known as Professor Cidinha.
The IOV Brazil National Meeting is an initiative of the Municipal Government of Olímpia, São Paulo, in partnership with IOV, a UNESCO-accredited organization.
Mr. Clerton Vieira, President of the IOV Brazil Section and Executive Director of IOV America, expresses his honor and joy in welcoming dignitaries, guests, and participants to this event of great cultural significance.
Welcome to the city of Olímpia, São Paulo, for the IOV Brazil National Meeting!
