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FESTIVAL ACCÈS ASIE CELEBRATES ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY!
A word from Ziya Tabassian – new artistic director

Ziya Tabassian – Artistic Director Festival Accès Asie – © Noushin Bahr
“For 30 years, Festival Accès Asie has been celebrating the richness and diversity of artistic expressions from Asian communities and their dialogues with other cultural traditions. Interdisciplinary and inclusive, it provides an essential platform for diaspora artists, fostering exchanges and collaborations through a program that reflects the vibrancy of the contemporary arts scene. By weaving connections between generations and disciplines, the festival has established itself as a space for discovery and transmission, highlighting unique artistic journeys and bold creations.
To mark this milestone anniversary, this special edition, presented throughout Asian Heritage Month in Canada, pays tribute to three decades of artistic engagement and innovation. It reflects the festival’s unwavering commitment to amplifying Asian voices in all their diversity. Through a rich and diverse program, it showcases the festival’s impact on the cultural landscape and its role in fostering new artistic perspectives. More than just an event, Festival Accès Asie is an invitation to explore narratives, aesthetics, and sensibilities that help shape an ever-evolving and open artistic scene.
This year, I have the honor of presenting the festival as Artistic Director. Most of the programming was curated by my predecessor, Nayla Naoufal, to whom I pay tribute for her outstanding work. I have added my own touch, bringing in new nuances and inspirations. With a passionate and dedicated team, along with the support of the Board of Directors, we are committed to offering you a memorable edition.
May this celebration of Asian heritage be a moment of sharing, discovery, and emotion. Wishing you all a wonderful festival!”
Back to the newsZiya Tabassian – Artistic Director of Festival Accès Asie