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Hundreds of Calgarians, including politicians from all levels of government, gathered at the Chinese Cultural Centre to mark the beginning of the Year of Dragon.
“Lunar New Year has been celebrated in Alberta for decades, reflecting the long and proud history of the Chinese Canadian community in our province,” Premier Danielle Smith said in her opening remarks outside the centre, which were followed by those from politicians including Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Minister of Advanced Education Rajan Sawhney and Calgary Centre MP Greg McLean.
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The speakers reflected on the meaning behind the Year of the Dragon, a period known for success and power, which comes after a tumultuous stretch of the pandemic. The dragon appears every 12 years, and speakers wished the attendees happiness and prosperity.
Building on the theme, Mayor Gondek addressed the resilience of the Chinese community, which, despite several travails in the past, have managed to create a robust community.
“Chinatown as we know it today has been in this location since 1910 after the community was displaced twice,” Gondek said.
“But the community did not lose faith, they did not lose hope and what they could achieve together, and despite hardship over time, Chinatown remains home to many incredible people who run family-owned businesses.”
The event was also joined by Andrew Mosker, president and CEO of the National Music Centre, who announced a new two-day festival in Calgary beginning on Sept. 21, featuring a fusion of traditional Chinese music and mainstream Canadian culture.
The speeches were followed by a dragon dance, an ancient tradition meant to bring in good luck. Dancers clad in yellow swirled a dragon made from cloth, bamboo and grass, which symbolized wealth and power.
Inside the centre, people threaded through a packed hall, which featured several vendors selling food, candy, jewelry, Chinese art and stuffed toys. Attendees inside told Postmedia the new year is one of the most important events of the community as it reunites families.
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