3, 8 and 9 JULY 2026
Parco delle Cascine, Florence

Il Festival au Désert di Firenze was established in 2010 through a partnership with the renowned Festival au Désert of Timbuktu. Originally conceived on the edge of the Sahara Desert, the festival became a symbolic meeting place for cultures, artists, and traditions, promoting dialogue through music. Over the years, it has brought together African and international musicians, becoming a landmark event on the global music scene. Following the political and military crisis that affected Mali in 2012, the festival was forced to suspend its original programme, giving rise to the international “Festival in Exile” project, aimed at preserving its spirit and spreading its values around the world.
Within this context, Florence – thanks to the work of the Fondazione Fabbrica Europa – has established itself as one of the festival’s main host cities in Europe.

Il Festival au Désert di Firenze represents a cultural bridge between Africa and Europe: a space for exchange and dialogue where music becomes a powerful and evocative language, capable of addressing important social, cultural, and political issues. Through concerts, talks, screenings, and workshops, the festival promotes cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue, and knowledge of Malian and Tuareg traditions. A multidisciplinary program further enriches the audience experience, offering opportunities for deeper engagement and active participation.

The 2026 edition will take place in the heart of Parco delle Cascine in Florence, in the spaces of PARC Performing Arts Research Centre and Ultravox Firenze, within the evocative context of Prato della Tinaia.

The full programme will be online soon!

Image based on a photograph by Antonio Viscido