Welcome to the Middle East! Land of ancestral civilisations, cradle of the three main monotheistic religions, the Middle East is a region rich in history and cultural diversity. Opinions are divided as to the exact extent of the region, but most agree that to the west it is bordered by the eastern shores of the Mediterranean, to the south by the northern shores of the Arabian Sea and to the east by India. But beyond the question of its exact geographical location, the Middle East is above all a place where cultures meet. Numerous civilisations have met and mingled and contributed to the construction of this region: the Persians, the Arabs, the Greeks, the Romans, the Turks and a variety of European colonisers. They all left traces of their own cultures in the minds of local people, whether through ideas, narratives or architecture. It comes as no surprise to discover that this part of the world is teeming with architectural masterpieces, often classed as world heritage sites. It was in this tumultuous and dynamic atmosphere that the book of One Thousand and One Nights was created and propagated, a fabulous collection of folk tales and literature from all over the Middle East. This year the Village du Monde will have all the magic of a flying carpet in the night sky over Istanbul and all the colours of a Cairo spice market.

This year, Paléo Festival is teaming up with Nai Qala, a charity founded in 2007 and which helps build schools and dispensaries in Afghanistan. This non-governmental organisation will be presenting its activities, all of which aim to deliver health and educational support to some of the most remote regions of Afghanistan.

As usual, you will be able to discover the numerous craft stalls and the traditional offer of culinary delights, perfumed with exotic flavours from afar. Somewhere between tradition and modernity, the Village du Monde will be playing host to shows and steeped in the atmosphere of the Orient. They will lead you on a fabulous journey through the countries of the Arabian Nights, offering you the spectacle of highly coloured fabrics and an invitation to take a flight on a very special giant magic carpet.