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It’s not often that children’s stories depict the realities of being a refugee and healing from trauma. Saleem, an animated feature film from Jordan directed by Cynthia Madanat Sharaiha, tackles this difficult yet important story. The film will make its Canadian debut at the 26th annual Reel 2 Real International Film Festival For Youth this April.…
Russian-based feminist art collective Pussy Riot has put the spotlight on government oppression, political silencing and cultural hypocrisy in their country for more than a decade. But while they’re known for their boisterous, colourful and attention-grabbing political art, what’s less known are the consequences the collective has faced for speaking out. Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot’s…
GEORGE CLUTESI: ḥašaḥʔap / ʔaapḥii / ʕc̓ik / ḥaaʔaksuqƛ / ʔiiḥmisʔap is a retrospective exhibition currently premiering in Vancouver until Jan 19, 2025 at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art. The exhibition explores the life and legacy of George Clutesi, a Tseshaht First Nation artist, actor, writer and ambassador for Canadian Indigenous culture, recognized…
Over the last 20 years, DakhaBrakha has established itself globally as a unique artistic force, bringing some of Ukraine’s most stylish and fantastical music to the world stage. But more recently, the group has used their international fame to help raise awareness about Russia’s invasion of their country, with their Tour for Ukraine project. This…
The diversity of traditional Acadian music is vast and exciting, and Vishtèn Connexions looks forward to showcasing classic pieces with their own creative nuances. The Acadian multi-instrumentalist duo celebrates the vibrancy of francophone culture at Festival Du Bois, which takes places March 8 to 10. “Our passion for our roots has always been a driving…
In their first exhibition in Canada, Chinese visual artist and storyteller Shen Xin explores how languages act like an ecosystem. The installation, titled but this is the language we met in; 我们在这个语言中相遇, includes a film, Grounds of Coherence #1, and four paintings, all created by the artist. Shen is particularly interested in the existence of language in humans…
Tartuffe takes the stage in a new yet ever-fraudulent form more than three centuries after the story first shocked and delighted audiences in 17th century France. Adapting the classic tale of a fraudulent holy man who wriggles his way into a bourgeois household for personal benefit, Father Tartuffe: An Indigenous Misadventure sees the titular scoundrel plucked out from…
Showcasing the tenacity, resolve and responses to the injustice of the Japanese Canadian internment and forced relocations, the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre hosts the permanent exhibit Taiken: Generations of Resilience. Depicted on the panels on the museum walls and through the programming offered, the exhibit looks to honour and share the history and heritage…
“It’s not all doom and gloom, there’s a future for us if we play our cards right,” says Joseph Kakwinokanasum, Vancouver Public Library’s (VPL) 2024 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence, about the message behind his writings. In addition to working on a new horror fantasy novel inspired by Indigenous ghost stories, Kakwinokanasum’s residency at VPL, from…
For Régis Painchaud and Lorraine Fortin, being smaller players in a big budget industry is a challenge – but one that is well worth the effort. They’re the co-founders of Visions Ouest Productions, a B.C.-based organization that has hosted numerous cultural and educational events highlighting French film in the province, including their annual Rendez-Vous French…
Inspired by Sámi culture and history, spiritual dance performance Vástádus eana – The answer is land centres themes of community, reclamation and the importance of land. The Sámi people are Indigenous to Sápmi, also known as northern Scandinavia, and, similar to Indigenous peoples in Canada, have suffered cultural assimilation and violence from colonialism. “I think our performance…
Inside/Out: the art show my dad never had, a new exhibit currently on display at grunt gallery, examines the life and work of the late Sue Dong Eng, co-curated by his daughter Mercedes Eng. The exhibit is composed of archived family images, copper etchings in handmade frames and literary work, featuring some of Mercedes’ own…
With the 2024 Lunar New Year coming up, the Vancouver Chinese Lion & Dragon Dance Association is preparing to bring the Chinese community prosperity and luck with their lion and dragon dance. This year, the team will deliver public performances between Feb. 3 to 19 throughout the Greater Vancouver area. Behind the success of these…
