The Downtown Eastside is our home, a home we share with thousands of other diverse people who deeply love this community. The poet Muriel Marjorie (Williams), who graces the cover of this year’s program guide, shouts it out so eloquently: “I love the Downtown Eastside because of its beauty and its strength, its refusal to SHUT UP and its insistence upon justice.”
This line of fiery poetry exemplifies the theme of this year’s festival: Voices from the Heart.
Here you will hear voices that inform, raise awareness and educate about the stories, concerns, values, heritage, art forms, community plans and exciting art generated in Vancouver’s founding community.
Voices that speak to the wisdom and power of our community and the challenges it faces. And voices that celebrate the neighbourhood’s indigenous stories so that old and new community members can draw strength from the community’s heritage, feel pride in its residents and values and understand its roots.
Thank you to our community partners and all those in the community who have helped realize this year’s event, our ninth annual festival. Thank you to our festival team who have worked with such dedication to produce, promote and present the many events throughout our neighbourhood at this year’s festival. And a special heartfelt thank you to Teresa Vandertuin (Associate Artistic Producer) for the passion, commitment, care, thoroughness and sense of humour she pours into the festival.
See you at the Festival everyone! Enjoy!
Terry Hunter
Executive Director, Vancouver Moving Theatre
Artistic Producer, DTES Heart of the City Festival
Savannah Walling
Artistic Director, Vancouver Moving Theatre
Associate Artistic Director, DTES Heart of the City Festival