Surrey Fusion Festival Wins 2023 Esprit Award for Best Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative

Surrey Fusion Festival has won the 2023 Esprit award for Best Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative by the International Live Events Association (ILEA). This award showcases the festival’s importance internationally, as well as its longstanding commitment to reconciliation, diversity, inclusion, social equity, and anti-racism.

"Winning the Esprit Award for Best Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative is something for all residents to celebrate," said Mayor Brenda Locke. “It recognizes Surrey Fusion Festival's commitment to increasing cross-cultural understanding and sharing through meaningful and memorable experiences. I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the cultural pavilion organizers, performers, volunteers, sponsors, and attendees for their commitment to making Surrey Fusion Festival a world-class event that champions diversity.”

ILEA is the principal association representing creative event professionals globally. The Esprit Awards recognize and award the most outstanding live events in the industry each year and is the most inclusive and prestigious international awards program for professionals engaged in the industry of live events. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative category recognizes an outstanding event that creates cultural inclusion and belonging through attendee, vendor, and supplier diversity.

Surrey Fusion Festival is a free, annual festival that was held on Saturday, July 22 and Sunday, July 23, 2023 at Holland Park. The festival showcased over 50 pavilions run by community groups that represent cultures from around the world. This festival also featured over 200 local, national, and international performers across nine stages. Details on the 2024 Surrey Fusion Festival lineup will be released next year.