Our powerful programmatic lineup spoke to the theme of ‘inter/dependence’. The idea of the individual human being as a distinct, autonomous and self-determined unit is a fiction created by Euromodernity. Ancient cultures have long understood that we exist in relationship to all—we are sculpted by near and distant conditions, and we affect all through our actions. ISF2023 invited our artists to unpack the illusion of separateness, to explore shifts in their own work from fragmentation and isolated individualism to constellations of connectedness.

It was with this sentiment in our hearts—the power of the collective and the multivalent interdependence essential to societies and ecosystems—that we delivered this festival edition.

We presented the Vancouver debut of one of the country’s leading multimedia artists, kaleidoscopic sound experiences, art-filled parties featuring choirs and culinary creations, a huge dance production, classical and contemporary works, a seaside live music stage, powerhouse activists, and our first-ever stand-up comedy night. This edition celebrated the astounding beauty of local artists alongside superstars from the UK, Toronto, and Seattle.

It was a season that felt both triumphant and necessary, and we were thrilled to share in the joy of being together during two wildly creative, exciting, and nourishing weeks of summer.