The Alianait Arts Festival has confirmed that their 2020 summer festival is cancelled. Sometimes called the world’s circumpolar stage, the Alianait Festival takes place in Iqaluit, NU, in late June each year. This year would have marked Alianait’s fifteenth anniversary; its inaugural presentation took place in 2005. 

Having played host to celebrated performers like Riit, ArtCirq, Charlie Gordon and many more, Alianait has historically drawn crowds from across Canada and the world. But after discussions with board members and partners, the Alianait team felt it was unwise to proceed. Nevertheless, in a release published on Tuesday, March 19 the organization expressed it was a “difficult decision” to make. 

An outdoor festival held under a 24-hour arctic sun, Alianait expanded in 2010 to produce additional programming, providing family-friendly, alcohol-free events and facilitating outreach opportunities between artists and students. Their mission is to build a healthier Nunavut through the arts.

Although their flagship festival  has been cancelled for this year, the organization will continue their online concerts series, Social...but Distant, which features Nunavut artists performing on Alianait’s various social media platforms.