(Credit: Sunfest 2023)
This year, Sunfest is making its anniversary with the largest artistic team in its history, featuring nearly 50 groups. Attendees can expect an array of new components including an expanded food area, an additional beer garden, and a new stage celebrating UNESCO-designated Cities of Music.
“A festival of this nature is not taking place in any of the main cities in Canada not in Montreal not in Toronto not in Vancouver. It’s happening here in London, Ontario. The UNESCO designation of London as Canada´s first City of Music is a big part due to Sunfest because UNESCO is about art and culture, it’s not commercialism,” says Alfredo Caxaj, Sunfest co-artistic and founder director.
(Credit: Sunfest 2017)
Last year’s impact studies demonstrated Sunfest’s significant outcomes. “The results from a prestigious agency in 2023 showed not only the economic benefits to the city which is in the millions of dollars but also for areas of hospitality, food, and restaurants,” he adds. “Over 20 percent of attendees come from outside London, with visitors from surrounding areas, other provinces, the United States, and even international locations.”
According to Caxaj, this is the only event in Canada that focuses its attention on global culture. “There are so many other cities where you’ll see different kinds of Caribbean, African, or Latin American events, and you have to pay admission on most of them, but Sunfest is free and brings everyone together. We want to reflect every country´s richness, through its cultural diversity, music, cuisine, international arts, and crafts; independent of your color, language, social position, or economic status.”
(Credit: Sunfest 2018)
“London is not the same London that you saw 30 years ago. It had one particular color, period. One of the main questions asked us at that time was: ´Why do you want to do something like this in London when London is not culturally diverse? ´ Always the response was this is precisely why we need to do this. The most beautiful thing is to see the whole community celebrating in an upbeat and free environment,” Caxaj concludes.
Starting on Thursday, July 4th at 6 p.m. Sunfest will feature performances on four stages, running from noon to 11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Victoria Park.
