Gooikoorts is a yearly international festival that focuses on folk music at the crossroads of tradition and innovation. The festival stands for a high quality musical programme alongside an atmosphere of cosiness and enjoyment. At Gooikoorts folk music lovers embark on a fascinating voyage full of exciting experiences. An original and highly distinctive programme truly stands for genuine musical quality.  Our purpose is to show both talented young players and confirmed artists from this area and from far away countries, from Canada to Ukraine). We want our visitors to enjoy splendid concerts and evening dance parties, at a cosy festival bringing together the music from various cultural backgrounds.
 
In 2003 Gooikoorts made an early but enthusiastic start with seven talented Belgian bands, spread over two days. Our fringe activities included four initiations, an intimate fair for instrument builders and fine children animation. The 1600 satisfied visitors of the first edition paved the way for a further development of our festival.
 
In the meantime Gooikoorts has become a three-day international traditional music festival. In 2009 18 bands from 11 different countries including Belgium, Ireland, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Portugal, Poland, England, Schotland, France and Québec performed on three stages. We also gave a chance to 4 new bands to show what they have in store on our free stage.
 
As usual the festival is opened by the Gooik town crier.  Thus two folk traditions meet each other.  The instrument builders fair has space for 30 exhibitors and is the meeting place par excellence for any folk musician. We also organise 19 initiations in a variety of musical traditions from many countries.  A whole range of children entertainment is always provided at the festival area. On Sunday morning the village mass will be enhanced by artists taking part in the Gooikoorts festival. In 2009 we welcomed about 4700 visitors at the festival, which received a very positive response. 2009 was a festive year for Gooikoorts. A compilation cd was released, the children entertainment programme was much extended, notably with a story telling night by ‘Gadjo Joe’, a dance workshop was given at our circassian circle island and four unplugged intimate concerts took place in a second acoustic concert tent. The festival was concluded by a sparkling folk ball.
 
We are fully preparing the 2010 edition with a programme that is likely to become quite exciting and unique.