Rencontres de chants polyphoniques: “à l’iniziu c’era a voce”

The polyphonic songs are one of the most ancient, suggestive and magical traditions of the island of beauty. A great tradition to which, every year, a special event is dedicated. We are talking about the Rencontres de chants polyphoniques: the 2017 edition, whose motto is à l’iniziu c’era a voce (“At the beginning there was the voice”), will take place in Calvi from September 12^th to 16^th.

The polyphonic songs

They are fight songs, love songs, funeral songs and passion songs. The peculiarity is this: they are performed by folk groups that are accompanied strictly by the musical instruments that were used by the shepherds of the island in the past.

The first edition took place in 1989 and was only the idea of a group of friends. Today, it has become a very anticipated event. And event that aims to preserve and promote what can be considered as a real piece of Corsican culture.

Calvi

In addition to providing the location for the Rencontres de chants polyphoniques, Calvi (one of the main ports for ferries to Corsica) is also a great idea if you have decided to spend the September holidays in Corsica. In particular, there are two different itineraries we want to suggest:

• The first is the itinerary of the most beautiful beaches in northern Corsica, which in September will give you unique views: Algajola, Plage de Lozari, Plage de Bodri, Arinella and Plage de Loto.
• The second is the itinerary of what you can see in the surroundings of Calvi: the must-see places are Ile-Rousse, Agriate desert, Saint Florent and Bastia.

Further information

For further information about the 2017 edition of Rencontres de chants polyphoniques (complete program, tickets, any changes), you can visit the official website, Balagne-corsica.com.

Image source: Flickr.com/photos/travelwithkat