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Indian Summer Festival celebrates South Asian arts and culture

The Indian Summer Festival returns to Vancouver from July 5 to 15, with an assortment of critically acclaimed performers, internationally known artists and renowned thinkers and speakers.

Building upon the success of last year, the Indian Summer Festival offers a line up of live performances, film screenings and culinary events.

“We felt the need for a high caliber event that brings together the two cultures and talents [of India and Canada],"  artistic director Sirish Rao said. "The Festival is not just for Indians, but is an event for all Vancouverites who love art, culture and food.  Food and music translates into a language without words and we felt that in India -- we are so obsessed with food.”

This obsession with food is definitely one of the focal points of the festival. From the opening gala with award-winning chef Vikram Vij to the Indian Summer lounge at W2 Media Café, festival attendees will get a chance to experience and try a variety of tantalizing South Asian cuisine.

 “We don’t see food as something that is just catered, but rather an art form. It is a creation to be tasted,” Rao added.

 

In addition to the specialty food offerings, the festival is also hosting a variety of drop in classes including Bollywood dance and yoga.  Other events include an idea panel with Gurinder Basran, David Chariandy and Anosh Irani as well as a discussion with famed journalist and politician MJ Akbar. View the full event listing on the website.

The majority of the events take place at Simon Fraser University Goldcorp Centre for the Arts and the Woodward’s Complex. This partnership with Simon Fraser University was fitting for festival organizers. 

 

The heart of the Indian Summer Festival is to foster an environment for dialogue across all cultures. And Rao he believes that there is a strong connection between India and Canada, both cultures that speak their mind.  The “baskingly diverse” festival, Rao comments, is one way in which we make Vancouver a part of a global dialogue.

Ticketed events range from $5 to $250 and available online through www.indiansummerfestival.ca

 

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