Festival Champa: Spotlight on Cambodia in Montreal

Fifty years ago, thousands of Cambodians took the road to exile, fleeing the bloody reign of the Khmer Rouge. Today, along with their descendants, these expatriates continue to honour their culture, notably in Quebec. To highlight this resilience and celebrate Cambodia, the first edition of the Saison du Cambodge Festival will take place at Place des Arts from May 23 to 25.

A festival steeped in history and culture

“This festival is part of Asian Heritage Month in Canada,” explains Chan Tep, co-founder of Connexion Champa and chair of its board of directors. “With our partners, we want to showcase a country that few people still know about, highlighting its cultural and social assets.”

An immersive show representing rebirth

The highlight of the festival is the show Bangsokol: A Requiem for Cambodia, which will take place on the evening of Saturday, May 24. This poignant symphony, which has already conquered New York, Melbourne, and Paris, combines orchestral performance, traditional songs, archival images, and film excerpts to recount the unspeakable tragedy of the Cambodian genocide, while—above all—honouring the resilience of its heroes.

“Bangsokol is a Buddhist funeral ritual that marks the passage to a new life,” explains Chan Tep. “This performance is both a commemoration and a tribute to the rebirth of our community.”

A Montreal choir, local musicians, and a conductor from New York’s Metropolis Ensemble will perform this work, created by Rithy Panh and Him Sophy, which is being presented for the first time in Montreal in Théâtre Maisonneuve. However, the festivities will begin well before the curtain rises. Starting at 5 pm, there will be an opening speech in the theatre’s lobby, along with blessings from Buddhist monks, a performance by a Cambodian-born Cirque du Soleil acrobat, a fashion show featuring traditional costumes, and dance performances inspired by royal ballets.

Tickets for this unique experience start at $68.

A free program for all

The festival—which also goes by Festival Champa—is about more than just performances and immersive experiences. Throughout the weekend, an art exhibition will showcase Cambodian and South Asian talent.

On Saturday, two public talks will take place in the Salon Urbain, followed by a vernissage at the end of the day. Sunday will begin with a historically themed brunch by Chanthy Yen at Tiramisu restaurant. Two roundtable discussions will follow: one on the representation of Asians in media and culture, and another, hosted by Kanica Saphan, a former military officer and sexologist.

Lastly, the Festival will come to a wonderful conclusion with an open mic night, during which Asian artists will have carte blanche to dazzle the audience. Meanwhile, graffiti artist FONKi, a Montrealer of Cambodian descent, will create a mural paying tribute to a half-century of Cambodian presence in the city.