The festivals of Speech and Art have been first organised in 1955. The planning, organisation and the performance are developed by the Cultural Centre of Lefkada. The programme includes all forms of art. All the performances have been taking place in the summer time. Together with the Athens Festival is one of the oldest cultural institutions of Greece.

During these years, many well known foreign musical groups and chorus, composers, solists and bands have been performing. In August of 1964, the great Maria Kallas sang and amazed everyone.

In theatre, the most well known Greek and foreign companies have been performing. In literature and speech, many well known poets, lyrics, novelist, critics of art, scientists, researchers have been participating.

In dance, many Greek and foreign groups have presented their work. New millennium, met the "Festivals of Speech and art" in its 50th year of life. A very long progress with a cultural action and the highest service of spiritual quality.

Institution of "Festivals of Speech and Art" had been an influence that gave a wide recognition to the island, placing it as one of first cultural chapters of Greece.

Today, at the beginning of the new millennium, they aim at the continuous upgrade of the festivals and seek of alternative ways to constitute a solid and modern infrastructure.

The Festivals of Speech and Art are a well known, established cultural institution and a creative basis of cultural offer.

International Folklore Festival has been organising for 45 years. It's an institution that promotes, since its foundation in 1952 from Antonis Tzevelekis until nowdays, the idea of peace, friendship, fraternity and solidarity of the people worldwide, with folklore forms of art, dance and music. This is achieved with the rich tradition and the recognised folklore codes of expression and communication.

International Folklore Festival of Lefkada is the most ancient cultural constitution of our country, in dance and music of the traditional heritage worldwide with Pan Hellenic and international recognition.

From the language of fantasy and creativity, people of the world meet for 45 continuous years, in August, in Lefkada exchanging their precious heritage: The creations of spiritual and artistic expressions according to their tradition. In order to continue, and from the language of creation and cooperation, do have the right to be different.

Art softens the political, economical and cultural differences. The Festival takes place on the last week of August (from a Sunday to Sunday), starting with a huge parade of peace and friendship, the evening opening celebration (1st Sunday) with the few minutes presentation of the groups, their formal presentation, during week and the magnificent ending ceremony, the exchanges of gifts and the dance of peace.