In 2025, Melbourne’s Asia TOPA festival returns in full force, promising to be a reimagined celebration of the Asia-Pacific’s vibrant arts and culture. For the first time, the festival is led by a diverse cohort of Asian-Australian creatives, with Jeff Khan at the helm. Khan, a long-time fixture in the Australian arts scene, brings his rich background as an Indian-Australian artist and curator to a festival that’s more inclusive, experimental and thought-provoking than ever before.
Khan, who moved back to Melbourne after 12 years in Sydney, sees the festival as a “joyful experience” in a city that has weathered difficult times. For him, Asia TOPA’s return after a four-year hiatus is about more than just showcasing exceptional art; it’s about creating spaces where connection, kinship and cultural dialogue thrive. With so many access points for engagement – be it through performance, knowledge exchange or nightlife – Asia TOPA is shaping up to be an unmissable cultural moment.
