About LunarFest
Started in 2009 and built to be a Vancouver Winter Olympics Legacy event, LunarFest is Canada’s premier presenter of contemporary expression in Asian arts and culture. It endeavours to reach new Canadians and those who have been here for many generations to share in the diversity of Canada. It also encourages and fosters the collaboration of Canadian and International cultural presenters to create new forms of artistic expressions. LunarFest is a festival that brings together Soul, Art and Life on one stage.
Being one of the top 10 Cultural Olympiad events chosen by Georgia Straight in Vancouver, LunarFest was one of the spotlights in Vancouver Downtown Core during the Games. More than half a million people witnessed the magic of LunarFest and countless photographs were taken; it will forever be a part of the Olympic memories of many Canadians and visitors around the world. Thanks to our title sponsor CIBC and our partner Harbourfront Centre, LunarFest is debuting in Toronto in 2012.
Built as a festival that celebrates one of the oldest traditions for many Asian cultures – Lunar New Year, LunarFest aims to collaborate with many Asian communities and outreaches to other Canadians. Since the inception, LunarFest is also built on an important artistic element for many cultures – the lanterns. Through collaborations with professional artists and school children in Canada and around the world, LunarFest has already presented Lantern Forest for 2009-2010 and Lantern Aquarium for 2011-2012. Please stay tuned for our new idea for 2013-2014.
As part of our curatorial mandate, LunarFest is dedicated to protect our environment. Different from many Asian lantern festivals, all of the lanterns created for LunarFest are using only LED lights. In addition, LunarFest also incorporates an environment awareness campaign each year. After all, celebrations should be artistic, fun, entertaining, educational and environmental.
Wishing you a prosperous, healthy and happy Year of the Dragon!