LUFT, Uriel

Uriel G. Luft, 83, a leading impresario of the performing arts in Canada passed away of pneumonia in Magog Quebec, on Tuesday March 28, 2017 at 11:10pm. It was announced by his daughters, Katia Luft Mead and Ludmilla Luft Ivanovic.
During his fifty year career as an agent, presenter, administrator, actor, educator, and mentor, Mr. Luft had a profound impact on the cultural life of this country.
Mr. Luft was born on August 24, 1933 in Berlin, Germany. He arrived in Montreal from Europe in 1957 and first worked as an actor. He was best known for Nikki, Wild Dog of the North (1961), Le ruffian (1983) and Encounter (1952).
As the husband of twenty years of Ludmilla Chiriaeff, he began his administrative career in 1961 as the General Manager of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. His commitment to touring was evident even in those early days, as the young company began building its reputation through performances in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America.
In the mid 1970's, Mr. Luft took on the role of Director of Dance Programming, Arts and Culture Programme, for the Montreal Olympics. During the games, he organized 100 dance performances in Montreal, which was the largest ever gathering of the Canadian dance community. Following the Olympics, he became Director of the nine Quebec Conservatories of Music and Drama.
In 1978, Mr. Luft co-founded Specdici Inc. in Montreal, and continued to work as a manager, agent, and dance presenter. Two years later, he co-founded Danse! in Montreal and Dance! in Toronto, creating the first modern dance series in both cities. Eventually, the company merged with another agency to form Great Artists Management Inc., the largest Canadian performing arts agency at the time. During this period, he was also instrumental in the creation of CINARS, and served as the organization's President.
Through Atmo Productions, the company he founded in 1984, Mr. Luft represented a wide range of European and Asian performing arts companies, bringing them to Canada and countries around the world. His clients have included Kabuki Theatre, the Japan Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, the Stuttgart Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, Ondekoza, and the Yamato Drummers of Japan.
Uriel Luft received the 2009 National Arts Centre Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring. He was recognized for his lifetime work as a manager, agent, and dance presenter, and for his devotion to creating touring opportunities for a number of Canada's leading dance artists and companies, including La La La Human Steps, BJM Danse, Margie Gillis, and Louise Lecavalier.
In addition to his tireless promotion of artists, both at home and abroad, Mr. Luft played an important role as mentor and educator – leading seminars at CINARS, teaching an arts management course at Concordia University and mentoring a new generation of arts administrators. He provided guidance and support with incomparable patience and kindness.
In addition to his daughters, Uriel Luft is survived by his partner, Toshiro Tsubokura, his grandchildren, Tamara Ivanovic, Ines Ivanovic, Sonya Ivanovic, Mishka Ivanovic, Sasha Mead and Andre Mead, his sister, Hella Amelkin, his niece, Audrey Amelkin, his nephews, Stephen Amelkin and Joel Rytzell, and his step-children, Anastasie Chiriaeff, Avde Chiriaeff and Gleb Chiriaeff.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.