Carnaval 2026: a first edition with a Japanese twist
Thursday, March 26, 2026 - 1pm > 10pm
Campus Mont Houy
With the Year of Japan, the University is also launching the very first edition of its Carnaval Étudiant, a festive, intercultural and unifying event imagined by and for students. After the 2026 Greetings Ceremony, which marks the start of this unprecedented thematic year, the carnival is the first highlight of a Japanese-inspired program.
Organized by student associations, including the FEV - the Valenciennes Student Federation - and the Entraide Etudiants Etrangers association better known by the acronym 3E, this carnival promises a unique festive and cultural immersion.
Open to students from the university, as well as all students from the city of Valenciennes, the Carnaval Happi will also include "carnavaliers" from our Cambrai and Maubeuge campuses, and members of the university staff. Every effort will be made to ensure that everyone plays a full part in this exceptional day.
This first edition, named Hapi in honor of Japanese matsuri, is supported by Toyota. As a partner of the Year of Japan and a major economic player in the region, its commitment is helping to give the event a special color. It also provides decisive support alongside other partners such as the FSDIE (Fonds de Solidarité et de Développement des Initiatives Etudiantes) and the CROUS.
One day and three highlights
The Grand Parade (1:30 pm - 2:30 pm)
The carnival kicks off with a colorful parade starting at 1:30pm sharp in front of the Agoraé (Eisen building). Don't miss the start!
- 12:30: Welcome of participants
- 1:30 pm : Departure of the procession, the route will last about an hour.
The parade promises to be a colorful affair, carried along by the rhythms of the INSA Hauts-de-France Band and a percussion troupe.
This moment, particularly festive and participative highlighting the cultural diversity of the university where we'll see staff joining students for the procession, will be punctuated by a surprise... A hint, she'll be wearing Toyota's colors.
The Cultural Village (2:00 pm - 5:30 pm)
The beating heart of the event, the Village will feature stage animations, participatory workshops and themed or gourmet areas. For goodie hunters, this is where you'll find some of the surprises the organizers and partners have in store for you, but above all: varied entertainment, a candy bar and themed areas to travel from one continent to another.
Scenic entertainment
- Dance welcome with French Cancan
- Performance by the Fanfare of INSA Hauts-de-France
- 1h30 J-Pop concert with the Carimix association
- 1h15 of world music with the 3E association
Cultural spaces to travel from one continent to another
- Europe: Introduction to the French Cancan quiz devised by members of the EUNICE community, our alliance of European universities
- Africa: Traditional board games
- South America: Introduction to salsa
- Asia : Vietnamese and Chinese games
Candy Bar
For those with a sweet tooth, don't worry, pancakes, waffles, cotton candy or popcorn will always be on hand, as well as a variety of drinks, all thirst-quenching and of course alcohol-free.
Village within a village: Le Village Japon
Plunge into the world of Japan in this scenographic space to take you on a cultural journey live from Mont Houy.
Among the activities already scheduled: Torii arch and traditional decorations, origami workshop, Japanese board games, (friendly) sumo wrestling, participatory fresco... A photo box and masquerade costume stand will let you immortalize the day.
And as the organizers' desire to please you knows no bounds, the list of possibilities could well grow even longer.
To note, it's from Japan Village that student radio station Ramdam will be offering a live broadcast - more info on the station's Instagram profile. This is, of course, where you'll find the Toyota stand.
Concert du Soir: Makoto San at L'Intermède (8:00 pm - 10:00 pm)
A bamboo instrumentarium unique in the world, Asian percussion, the sound of the earth melted into electronic machines, Makoto San fashions a transcendental and spectacular world, an invitation to travel and hypnosis but also to frenzy and exaltation...
Exceptionally in concert on the UPHF campus. Enough to make this first edition of the Carnaval, an unforgettable event.
The Carnaval is an unforgettable event.
Registration required - Student rate: €3
To discover the Makoto San sound > listening link
Whether you're a student at UPHF's Cambrai, Maubeuge or Valenciennes campuses, or just a student in the capital of Hainaut, this carnival is yours. Come and represent your school, your course of study, your campus, your culture! Get out your best costumes, gather your friends and take part in this first edition that will mark the university's student history.