Asia TOPA (Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts) will welcome 410 artists and collectives from 17 countries across the Asia-Pacific, and the world, to showcase more than 1,000 individual performances and activations across 62 events. This year’s triennial also includes 18 world premieres and 18 new commissions at 20 venues and locations around Melbourne.
After a five-year hiatus, Asia TOPA returns from 20 February – 10 March with an extraordinary program of new art and performance from across the Asia-Pacific. Every three years, Asia TOPA brings the best of Asia-Pacific arts, culture and ideas to Naarm/Melbourne for a three-week-long city-wide celebration that spotlights our diverse and dynamic region.
“As a major international arts event, this festival aims to foster ties with our global neighbours, bringing together cultural innovators and visionaries from the Asia-Pacific to our city. We are privileged to have so many incredible artists as part of the program this year; there is truly something for everyone,” said Asia TOPA Creative Director Jeff Khan.
Highlights of the performance program include:
- Milestone – an unmissable triennial opening night performance at Hamer Hall celebrating the work of William Yang, one of Australia’s pioneering Asian-Australian creatives;
- U>N>I>T>E>D – a new international dance and music collaboration at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl; and
- Gapu Ŋupan (Chasing the Rainbow) – a ground-breaking cross-cultural collaboration featuring First Nations artists from Arnhem Land and Taiwan.
The 2025 triennial includes breathtaking new works across dance, theatre, music, visual art and beyond, alongside a new Nightlife and Knowledge program.
Asia TOPA continues until 10 March 2025. For more information and full program, visit: www.asiatopa.com.au for details.
Image: William Yang, Self Portrait Embracing Storm, 2019 – photo by George Gittoes