Northwest Folklife Festival 2025 "ikigai"

We’re thrilled to unveil our 2025 Cultural Focus: IKIGAI (pronounced Ee-kee-guy)!

This year’s theme continues our journey of cultural exploration, following Metamorphosis, Lagom, and Meraki—three years that invited us to reflect on change, balance, and passion. Now, with Ikigai, we step into a deeper, more personal space: the pursuit of purpose.

Rooted in the Japanese words “Iki” (life) and “Gai” (worth living), Ikigai represents a way of living that aligns passion, mission, vocation, and profession. It’s about showing up authentically, navigating complexity with intention, and allowing meaning to unfold naturally—often when we least expect it.

But Ikigai isn’t just a theme—it’s the heartbeat of this year’s Cultural Focus Festival.

Throughout the festival, we’ll bring this concept to life through:

• Interactive installations that spark self-discovery and introspection

• Workshops that explore creativity, personal growth, and finding purpose through practice

• Talks and panels featuring voices from diverse cultures and disciplines exploring how they’ve found (or are still finding) their Ikigai

• Live performances, music, and art that celebrate the beautiful intersections of passion and purpose

As part of our commitment to stewardship, we encourage all volunteers to engage in meaningful ways that support the festival’s success. Whether you're helping with setup and logistics as a Pre-Festival Production Assistant, assisting guests at Volunteer Registration, promoting sustainability as a Sustainability Volunteer, or guiding visitors through the Makerspace, your contributions are integral. Every act of stewardship—whether it's offering your time, expertise, or energy—plays a vital role in creating an intentional, purpose-driven event.

So we ask you...

What is your Ikigai?

Donate Today: https://givebutter.com/nwfl

Poster art by King Khazm and Toka Valu