Putting Asia on the map

Last December, Canadian Parliament voted unanimously in favour of a motion to designate the month of May Asian Heritage month—but only the folks at the Montreal Asian Heritage Festival seem to have noticed. The seven-year-old festival has barely received any coverage from mainstream media this year, much to the consternation of its staff.
Festival co-creator and director Janet Lumb met with her staff on Saturday to figure out what they can do. “We’ve been busting our butts this year, as in all the others,” says Lumb. “This festival is a huge undertaking.”

That’s because when Lumb speaks of Asia, she means just about all of it—Iran, Japan, China, Korea, India, Syria, Lebanon, the Philippines, Turkey and parts of Russia. “It’s a different vision,” says Lumb. “We don’t limit Asia to the Pacific part, because we believe in the power of numbers, in getting as many people from as many different backgrounds to show their work. We think we deserve better from the press. We’re trying to build bridges and give a voice to some very talented artists.”

The festival has exhibits and shows all over Montreal, in the Maisons de la cultures, at Galerie Oboro, Salles du Gesù and at the MAI. Although the festival concludes May 10, some exhibits run

into June. For more information, call 523-1047 or go to www.montrealasianheritagefestival.com. :

—Noemi Lopinto