There are many reasons why Summerland is the ideal location for a festival inspired by George Ryga – it’s a charming town with good venues and amenities, hospitable people, beautiful scenery and a mild climate. But most importantly, it’s where the nationally acclaimed playwright and author lived from 1963 until his death in 1987 and where he wrote most of his major works. Over the last ten years, the Ryga Arts Festival has done more than bring world-class arts and cultural offerings to Summerland; it has allowed for George Ryga’s legacy to finally be recognized by his home community.

Sharing my work at the Ryga Arts Festival was an absolute dream: seamless logistics, a beautiful venue, and a warm & attentive audience made for an unforgettable experience.

You ran a beautiful festival. We felt cared for and the vibe was calm and generative and fun - so good work! And congrats!

 I love the Ryga Fest. Its community-minded focus on justice, equity, and social change make it one of my favourite arts festivals ever. I look forward to returning again and again, and I can't wait to see where the team takes Ryga Fest over the next 10 years.

We felt especially well-hosted by the business owner of Heartspace Yoga Boutique, Celeste, who stepped up to provide her studio as a performance space for our show, and went to extra-lengths to make it feel really cosy and welcoming to audiences. The community in Summerland is spectacular, and we were so grateful to be able to experience it.