No One Can Be Expected to Do the Impossible Cancellation of FTA 2020

Montreal, April 8, 2020 – After having announced the cancellation of the international aspect of the festival on March 26, Festival TransAmériques will comply with a decision made by the City of Montreal and will cancel all FTA programming scheduled for presentation from May 20 to June 3, 2020. Given the current context and in compliance with the public health instructions issued by the Quebec government, the City of Montreal announced yesterday the cancellation of arts festivals, sports events and public gatherings all across the city until July 2 inclusive. In solidarity with this decision, the FTA believes that it remains vitally important to comply with social distancing measures in order to prevent further propagation of the COVID-19 virus, for the safety of one and all. "It is thus with a heavy heart that we must admit that FTA 2020 will have existed only on paper and on our website. We are immensely proud of the work of the artists we selected for our presentation this spring. We deeply regret that this rendevous with our audience cannot take place as we so ardently wished. But the dream remains. We don't know yet how it will be possible to celebrate dance and theatre that touches the collective imagination from May 20 to June 3 next year, but we are, as usual, focused on that goal and we hope that the FTA will continue to be the source of inspiration that it has always been. In conclusion, we insist on emphasizing the incredible support received from our team and our loyal public and private partners, support that is more important than ever – our sincere thanks to all of you. Your precious collaboration helps us to stay the course and to have confidence in the future." — Martin Faucher and David Lavoie, co-Executive Directors Our presentation of ten shows from across the country must now unfortunately be cancelled. This is in addition to the 12 international shows cancelled previously. These ten very worthy works are: the world premières of J’ai pleuré avec les chiens by Daina Ashbee, Post coïtum by Mélanie Demers and SIERRANEVADA by Manuel Roque; the North American premières of P.O.R.N. (Portrait of Restless Narcissism) by Christian Lapointe and Nadia Ross, Stations by Louise Lecavalier and Violence by Marie Brassard; the Quebec première of Declarations by Jordan Tannahill as well as the reprises of Aalaapi | ᐋᓛᐱ by the Collectif Aalaapi, Anima / Darkroom by 7Starr and Lucy M. May, and Un temps pour tout by Sovann Rochon-Prom Tep. All FTA Playground activities, such as get-togethers with the audience, parties, workshops with artists and the FTA playwrighting clinics, are thus also cancelled. Audience development activities for students, the Conversations on Performance seminar and the International Rendezvous for Young Performing Arts Professionals and Critics will not be taking place. The doors to the Quartier général of the FTA, a gathering point for audience and artists alike, will not open until 2021. Notice to Ticket Holders Ticket holders wishing to obtain immediate reimbursement should contact the box office at the point of initial purchase. The Festival will inform all its clients of the various means for ticket reimbursement or for transferring tickets into a total or partial donation. We would also like to thank all festivalgoers for their exceptional gestures of solidarity. For any questions about tickets, contact billetterie@fta.ca. Your request will be followed up over the course of the coming weeks.

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