The Ryga Arts Festival

The eighth annual Ryga Arts Festival will be held in Summerland from September 20 to 24,featuring a diverse blend of music, theatre, and spoken word. This year the Festival willhave a special theme of Solidarity with Ukraine, and will also celebrate the rich Ukrainianheritage in Canada.The Ryga Arts Festival was established in 2016 to preserve and promote the legacy ofGeorge Ryga, (1932-1987). Born in Northern Alberta of Ukrainian refugee parents, Rygawas one of the most influential playwrights in Canadian history and his work encompassesa huge variety of genres, including poetry, novels, plays, TV and radio. Some of Ryga’s earlynovels deal with the harsh life of Ukrainian immigrants. Ryga himself left the family farmand started writing after winning a scholarship to Banff School of the Arts. He was thirtywhen he moved with his family to Summerland, where he died in 1987. The Ryga ArtsFestival is one of the few festivals featuring a mix of music, theatre, spoken word and visualarts.There are 21 musical, theatrical and spoken word events in this years festival, performed indowntown Summerland locations. Full descriptions are on the Festival website, www.rygafest.ca.