DIBA

DIBA is a Persian music ensemble founded in 2015 in Montreal by three talented artists: Reza Abaee, composer and artistic director, Pendar, singer and general manager, and M-Reza Parhizkari, oudist and setâr player. DIBA is dedicated to the creation and production of an original music repertoire. Like the heralds of the past, musician messengers who drew crowds with the power of their instruments, DIBA offers a unifying repertoire of vibrant and organic music with universal messages. The ensemble was born out of its founder’s desire to create unifying pieces and make Persian scholarly music known to the general public. Under the artistic direction of Reza Abaee, DIBA offers to the public musical creations rooted in a Persian classical repertoire and distinctive influences from Western music. The creations are conceived as true musical experiences, renewing traditional Persian repertoire and dressing Persian poetry with a touch of modernity. On stage, Pendar sings texts borrowed from classical Iranian literature, responding to the captivating musical compositions written by Reza Abaee.

PAMANA ng LuzViMinda

PAMANA ng LuzViMinda is a folkdance company from the Philippines founded in 2005 to represent and preserve the cultural heritage of the Philippines. Based in Montreal’s multicultural metropolis, PAMANA has become an ambassador for Filipino cultural folkdance. Most importantly, PAMANA has distinguished itself over the years by investing in youth mentorship and leadership training.

Chittakone Baccam

Chittakone, who is of Laotian origin, pays tribute to his Asian roots with his project Hazy Montagne Mystique. He works closely with Guillaume Vallée, Pulsatilla, and Kim-Sanh Châu. He has performed his work in Canada, the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, and Austria. Chittakone Baccam is the artistic director of the experimental label Jeunesse Cosmique.

Samian

Originally from Pikogan, a small Aboriginal community in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Samian has conquered the music scene by proudly wearing his colors, those of an entire people, for which he claims respect and recognition. Discovered in 2004 thanks to the Wapikoni Mobile project, he has since released four albums, one of which, Face à la musique (2011), won a Félix at the ADISQ gala for hip-hop album of the year. He has performed across Canada and in more than a dozen countries around the world. He has also published a collection of poetry from songs off his first three albums. In addition, several of his poems can be found today in various books used in Quebec schools. In February 2016, he was awarded the prestigious Artist for Peace Award, which is recognized across Canada. His fourth album, Le messager (2019), was popularly received on its release. He has acted in the film Hochelaga, terre des âmes (2017) by François Girard, among others. Samian also hosts the documentary series En marge du monde (2019) on TV5 Monde.