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IVFDF stands for 'Inter Varsity Folk Dance Festival' it is an exciting and dynamic festival held at a different university each year. IVFDF has been running since 1951 and is the country's longest continually running folk festival. The tour so far spans over 20 locations as far apart as Exeter in the south and Aberdeen in the north. You don't have to be a student to go, just vaguely young or energetic. The Festival is particularly aimed at students, but it is open to everyone and caters for a wide range of ages and interests with numerous ceilidhs and workshops covering a wide range of dance styles - Scottish Country, Highland, Morris, Rapper Sword, Irish, and Playford are typical examples, with plenty of more exotic workshops varying from year to year.
The keyword is FESTIVAL: basically, hundreds of people attending for three days and two nights of intense dancing, playing music and singing, until they are unbelievably exhausted; A non-stop weekend of music and dance from the British Isles and beyond - there is the option of sleep for those who can bear to miss something.
In general the answer is anyone with an interest in lively, young, energetic folk music and dance. Because the festival is aimed in particular at universities it is attended by large numbers of students, ex-students and staff from all around the country - although in some cases ex-student means 30 years or so. But just because it is aimed at students does not mean that we limit who can attend. Anyone who is willing to enjoy and participate is welcome.
If you would like to find out more details on participating organisations can be found on their individual web sites or a full list of members who attended the last reps meeting can be found at the start of the minutes for each IVFDF Representatives meeting.
This site contains prolific quantities of information about the festival including a complete history, photos and details of the constitution however if that is not enough for you there is also a mailing list available that you can join and an archive of postings to the mailing list is available on the site.
This years IVFDF 2022 will be held on 19th - 21st of February will be held online hosted by Sheffield Folk Soc. See the festival website [1] for more information.
IVFDF is made up from student folk societies, and has a role in helping those societies and new societies starting up.
We've produce a list of resources that can help societies, and our Development Officer is always willing to help.
A sneak preview interview recorded at IVFDF Bristol which will be part of our audio documentary is now available to download.
