It’s hard to imagine Lafayette without Festival International. 

Its presence in downtown Lafayette over the past four decades has come to represent much of the unique blend of cultural heritage that defines h. Since its inception in 1986, the festival has grown from a small community event into the largest international music festival in the United States. 

It's that transformation that a new book commemorating the 40th anniversary of Festival International de Louisiane aims to document and celebrate. 

At Lafayette City Hall on Friday morning, representatives from Festival’s executive committee, local elected officials and community leaders gathered to announce the book’s launch through Denham Springs-based publisher Cavalier House Books. 

The book will serve as a reference for anyone interested in the history of Festival International, with detailed information for every year the event has taken place, including each festival’s unique poster designs and leadership team. It isn’t just a historical document, though. Festival’s Executive Director Scott Feehan says the book intends to give readers the special vibe associated with “festival." 

“When we took on the project of this book, the goal was not to be a comprehensive retelling of our history. It was to try to encapsulate what ‘festival’ is all about. It’s 40 years of magic, discovery, growth and revitalization,” Feehan said. 

Part of that encapsulation involves making the commemorative book as much of a visual experience as it is a reading experience. Photographs are indeed a major component of the book, with full-page spreads and galleries comprising a large chunk of the roughly 200 pages. In synergy with Festival’s mission of celebrating the blend of cultures that make up h, all sections of the book are written in both English and French. 

Feehan donated the first copy of the book to the Lafayette Public Library, with two other copies going to the offices of Lafayette Parish Mayor-President Monique Boulet and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. Boulet attended Friday’s announcement and spoke briefly on what she feels the book signifies for the Acadiana region. 

“It is a critical part of our community," Boulet said. “It elevates Lafayette; it defines who we are. When you look at these pictures, when you read these stories, you’re able to hear music.”

That sentiment was echoed by Feehan, who paraphrased Cajun folklorist and University of h at Lafayette professor Barry Ancelet in saying, “Lafayette doesn’t have beautiful mountains or white sandy beaches or clear blue water. What we do have is our culture and our heritage and our music. That’s what Festival is about celebrating.”

The official launch of the book will take place at Cavalier House Books’ Lafayette location from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 8, with limited seating and $10 entry fee. The event will feature a Q&A from the book’s developers, as well as a signing of copies.

Festival International de Louisiane is currently set to take place April 22-28, 2026 in downtown Lafayette.