Message from our Directors

Our 2026 season presented by our two directors, Guillaume Côté and Etienne Lavigne.

For two weeks each year, something unique happens.
Nature meets culture.
The forest comes alive.

And some of today’s greatest artists in dance and music gather in Saint-Sauveur.
Welcome to FASS 2026.

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you back for a new edition, where we have sought to offer you a bold, vibrant, and truly living program. This year, we invite audiences to immerse themselves in a world that is at once wild, poetic, and deeply human—where bodies tell stories, where music resonates, and where the forest becomes a stage.

We welcome People Watching with Play Dead, a remarkable work that transforms the everyday into a spectacular playground for exploration. Blending dance and circus, bodies defy gravity, humor meets virtuosity, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

With Birdy, Hung Dance transports us into a world that is both delicate and powerful, where tradition and contemporaneity meet in striking visual poetry.

Warmth and passion will also take center stage with Ballet Hispánico and its electrifying interpretation of Carmen. An iconic work driven by explosive energy that will make the entire forest vibrate.

We are also delighted to welcome Charlotte Ballet with an exceptional mixed program, featuring Solo Echo by Crystal Pite, alongside works by Mthuthuzeli November and Nicole Vaughan-Diaz—a meeting of sensitivity, strength, and refinement.

For the first time at the Festival, Circa arrives with Wolf, a raw, instinctive, and mesmerizing work. A performance with untamed energy that promises to leave a lasting impression.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet also honors us with its presence, presenting a vibrant program that includes a creation by Indigenous choreographer Cameron Fraser-Monroe, a new work by Dwight Roden, and the beloved Who Cares? by George Balanchine, set to the radiant music of George Gershwin.

Under the Grand Chapiteau, the Orchestre Métropolitain, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, returns for an exceptional symphonic moment—because sometimes, the forest deserves the full power of an orchestra.

And of course, the spirit of FASS would not be complete without its free activities that enliven the trails and outdoor spaces. The Dance Trails return with new creations every weekend, Dancing Saturdays invite audiences to move together, a dance tournament promises a festive and competitive atmosphere, and Zeugma Danse engages young audiences with Le Hérisson.

For two weeks, the town comes alive.
The forest fills with movement.
And something special happens.

FASS is a meeting place—between artists and audiences, between nature and the stage, between discovery and wonder. It is an invitation to slow down, to feel, to be surprised.

I invite you to come experience this with us.
Come for the nature…
Stay for the art…
And leave inspired.

Enjoy the Festival!

Guillaume Côté

For 35 years, the Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur has held a unique place in the cultural landscape. Its mission to bring dance beyond major urban centers has made it an event deeply rooted in its community and in the hearts of its audience.

For me, this anniversary is first and foremost an opportunity to pause and reflect on how far we’ve come. What stands out is the consistency with which the Festival has evolved without ever losing sight of what matters most: creating meaningful encounters between artists and audiences, in a spirit of openness and curiosity. Today, FASS is a place of discovery—where one may sometimes feel challenged, often moved and always invited to see differently. It is a living space that continues to evolve through the works, the artists, and the people who experience it.

The 2026 season fully reflects this momentum. It offers a rich program that brings together renowned voices and emerging talents, works rooted in tradition and others that push boundaries. This diversity is what fuels the Festival and allows it, year after year, to remain both inspiring and relevant.

What matters deeply to me is how we continue to bring dance closer to people. In Saint-Sauveur, free activities in parks and along the trails are part of this vision. They encourage shared experiences through accessible—and often powerful—performances.

The presence of FASS continues to expand throughout the Laurentians. This year, the Dance Trails will come to life in Val-Morin, Morin-Heights and Saint-Hippolyte, allowing new audiences to experience dance where they are. In the same spirit, the 5 saisons de la danse reflects the commitment of our presenting partners to join together to circulate our works and extend their reach well beyond the summer season. I would like to acknowledge Odyscène in Sainte-Thérèse, Le Patriote in Sainte-Agathe, Théâtre Gilles-Vigneault in Saint-Jérôme and Espace Théâtre in Mont-Laurier.

I also think of initiatives such as Mouvement de passage FASS, which brings dance into long-term care homes and seniors’ residences in the region, creating moments of profound humanity. These remind us just how deeply this art form can touch, soothe and connect people—even in the most vulnerable contexts.

None of this would be possible without the vision of our Artistic Director, Guillaume Côté, who continues to bring both dynamism and expertise to the Festival. This vision is made possible through the commitment of our partners, donors, and all those who believe in what we do. In the current context, their support is more valuable than ever and we are deeply grateful.

I would also like to highlight the remarkable work of our team, our board of directors, as well as the dedication of volunteers and everyone who contributes, directly or indirectly, to bringing the Festival to life. Their rigor, energy and commitment are essential to maintaining its reputation, which has continued to grow over the years.

Finally, I want to thank you—our audience. Your loyalty, curiosity and openness make all the difference. For 35 years you have been there, and it is with you that the Festival truly finds its meaning.

I wish you a wonderful 35th Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur.

Etienne Lavigne