Sherbrooke’s classic summertime music and culture festival is taking a socially distanced approach this year after all in-person activities were cancelled back in March. The festival, which usually takes place in front of the Centre Julien Ducharme in Fleurimont, will instead be available from the comfort of one’s own home.
Founded in 1998, the festival’s mission is the harmonization of inter-ethnic relations through the celebration and promotion of the various traditions of the world.
This is done by showing off culturally unique food, dance, and musical performances by artists and artisans from all over the world. The festival’s organizers hope to foster intercultural friendships and acceptance by celebrating cultural differences.
This year, instead of all the in-person venues, the festival will take the form of a series of videos made by the performers instead. The lineup includes names like Grammy award nominee Rocky Dawuni, Estonian band Trad.Attack!, and Italian traditional and electronic band Kalàscima.
Some dance groups will also be making a submission, including Celtic group The StepCrew, Inuit artist Shauit, and the Toronto based Nagata Shachu Japanese Taiko and Music Group. Performances aimed at kids will also be available.
The videos will be available for free during the festival’s normal dates from Aug. 12 to 16 on the organization’s website at ftms.ca.
Festival des Traditions du Monde goes virtual
By Matthew Sylvester, Special to The Record
