The power of storytelling drives ARC World festival, where narratives of resilience and achievement take precedence over simple cultural celebration. Organizer Clement Chu emphasizes that the stories being shared at Saturday’s event at Toronto Metropolitan University carry universal themes that extend far beyond Asian communities, focusing on overcoming challenges and building stronger communities.
These stories of perseverance find perfect expression in the festival’s diverse programming, from food vendors sharing culinary traditions to speakers discussing their journeys of success and community building. The celebrity basketball game featuring Simu Liu and Jeremy Lin serves as both entertainment and inspiration, demonstrating how individuals can maintain connections to their cultural roots while achieving success in their chosen fields.
The Asian Roots Collective’s own narrative exemplifies these themes of resilience and growth. Founded 30 years ago as the Chinese Canadian Youth Athletic Association, the organization has weathered numerous challenges while expanding its mission and impact. Their journey from renting gymnasium space to owning a comprehensive community center in Markham represents a powerful story of persistence and community building.
The festival’s emphasis on narrative extends to the organization’s name change, with ARC representing both the basketball shot arc and the narrative arc of stories being shared. This dual meaning reflects the organization’s evolution from purely athletic programming to comprehensive cultural and educational initiatives. The modern community center now offers basketball courts alongside art studios, gaming areas, and coding classes, demonstrating how organizations can grow while maintaining their core values and mission.