It all began in 1950, when friends, knowing his devotion to J.S Bach, urged Pablo Casals to celebrate the composer’s bicentennial. The first concert of Festival Pablo Casals Prades place in the parish church where the master resided after his exile from Spain. Undoubtedly one of the oldest festivals in existence, it remains among the most innovative in its quest to expand repertoire and introduce new talents. Led by Artistic Director Michel Lethiec, the festival celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2012 by continually presenting chamber music concerts with an impressive roster of distinguished musicians around the world. In addition to the summer festival in Prades, the Festival presents an annual winter series at Theatre des Champs-Elysées in Paris and tours abroad in Europe, Asia and South America.