FOLK artists, storytellers and dancers from across the world will visit the region for an event.
More than 200 people from 87 countries will attend the 34th congress of the International Council of Organisations of Folkore Festivals and Folk Art (Cioff).
They will meet at Stockton's Swallow Hotel in October.
It has been held in the UK only once before, in Billingham, near Stockton, in 1974, when there were ten member countries.
The bid to hold this year's congress was lodged by Joe Maloney, secretary of Cioff UK, Cioff UK secretary general Olga Maloney and Harry Davies MBE, who is the organisation's northern Europe sector chairman. They are also involved in hosting the annual Billingham Folklore Festival, which attracts dancers from across the world.
Mr Maloney said: "I am absolutely delighted the United Kingdom, and the Tees Valley in particular, will be hosting this tremendously important event.
"I want to thank the organisations which backed our bid. A lot of art and heritage can be displayed in museums, but folklore is different.
"We are very lucky to live in such a delightful part of Britain and now we have the opportunity to share it with our visitors."
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