Bourges 2028 at the Heart of Printemps de Bourges Crédit Mutuel 2026

As Printemps de Bourges Crédit Mutuel celebrates its 50th anniversary, Bourges 2028 is playing a full part in this landmark edition. From artistic creation and discussions to the major events that bring people together, the European Capital of Culture 2028 is contributing to every dimension of the festival.

Bourges 2028 at the Heart of Contemporary Creation
At the heart of the festival, Bourges 2028 is supporting artistic co-productions that bring greater visibility to artists who are still too often overlooked.

From Ukrainian, Lithuanian and Slovak music scenes to emerging talents from across Europe, the programme brings musical heritage into dialogue with contemporary aesthetics. A shared vision of contemporary music that is open and constantly evolving. This momentum also extends to participatory formats, such as a traditional music dance open to everyone, conceived as a space for meeting, sharing and passing on traditions.

Bourges 2028 at the Heart of the Discussions
During the festival, Bourges 2028 is launching Next Stage Europe, a programme born from an exchange with Trenčín 2026, fostering concrete encounters between contemporary music professionals from across Europe while highlighting emerging scenes. The initiative will continue beyond the festival, helping to build lasting forms of cooperation.

Bourges 2028 is also giving the festival a distinctly European dimension in very concrete ways: featuring an artist associated with Trenčín 2026, welcoming professionals from several European Capitals of Culture, and providing English interpretation of all round-table discussions to open up exchanges to an international audience.

At the same time, Bourges 2028 is continuing its commitment to a more inclusive and accessible culture. Building on LICIA (International Laboratory for an Inclusive and Accessible Culture), launched in Bourges on 3 December to initiate discussions around truly inclusive culture, a round table will bring together artists, experts and cultural professionals to address a key issue: improving the representation of disabled artists.

Live translation, captioning and sign language: here, accessibility is being put into practice.

Through these initiatives, Bourges 2028 is helping to give the festival a stronger European dimension and foster a more responsible culture, rooted in the issues of our time.

Bourges 2028 at the Heart of the Festival’s Major Moments
Bourges 2028 is also taking part in the key events that shape the festival and bring its different communities together.

The partners’ evening, co-organised with the CNM and Printemps, embodies this ambition to bring artists, professionals and institutions together around a shared goal.

Another key moment is the launch of the Bourges 2028 incubators, in partnership with Info Jeunes Centre-Val de Loire. Broadcast live across the regional network, this launch marks an important step in supporting emerging young talent, in connection with the CRI call for projects for young people.

Bourges 2028 Already at Work in 2026
Supporting artistic creation, connecting European professionals, advancing inclusion and bringing people together: through this anniversary edition of Printemps de Bourges, Bourges 2028 is already taking action.

A strong presence that is helping to firmly establish the European Capital of Culture within its local area and the European partnerships and initiatives to come.

Photo credit: Antoine Monegier du Sorbier