Calgary welcomes the Year of the Dragon with a New Year's Eve celebration

Hundreds of Calgarians have gathered across the city to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year starting February 10th and usher in the Year of the Dragon with much fanfare.

Celebrations took place at Calgary City Hall, Pixel Park, Fort Calgary, but the main attraction of the lion and dragon dance and many cultural programs took place at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre.

Community representatives from Chinatown were joined by dignitaries from the People's Republic of China, all orders of government, including MLAs, MLAs, Calgary City Council, Calgary Police and Calgary Fire Department leaders to greet and participate in traditional ceremonies.

“This is the Year of the Dragon, it's a symbol of strength and it brings health and prosperity,” said Tony Wong, president of the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre.

“One thing is clear: everyone expects China's birth rate to rise in the Year of the Dragon. It says how the Chinese love to have a dragon boy or a dragon girl.'

Traditionally, the Year of the Dragon has been seen as a lucky year for parents, the Chinese zodiac sign of the Dragon giving strength and leadership to those born in the Year of the Dragon.

Prime Minister Daniel Smith wished participants well for the year ahead, saying the Lunar New Year celebration was a way for people to come together after a long winter.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek praised Calgary's Chinatown community in her address.

“On behalf of my colleagues on the Calgary City Council, many of whom are here today, Gong Hei Phat Choi, Sin Nian Kuai Le.”

Translated, it means Happy New Year in Cantonese and Mandarin – the two main dialects of Chinese spoken in Calgary's Chinatown.

“The history of Calgary's Chinese community is one of building strong foundations. The history of Calgary's Chinese community shows such strength and perseverance through difficult times,” said Mayor Gondek.

“Chinatown as we know it today has been here since 1910, after the community moved twice. But the community did not lose faith, they did not give up hope that they will achieve together. Despite its challenges over time, Chinatown continues to be home to many wonderful people who run family businesses. They volunteer in the community and welcome visitors to experience a unique culture.”

Celebrating the Millennium of Chinese Culture

Zhou Liying, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Calgary, said in his opening speech that the Year of the Dragon represents more than 5,000 years of Chinese history.

“Let us work together with flying dragons to promote friendship and cooperation between our two countries, peace and prosperity in the world,” he said.

Consul General Zhou was invited along with Advanced Education Minister Rajan Sawhney to burn incense at the opening ceremony to commemorate the occasion.

Inside the center, cultural groups such as the Zhaoli Dance School, Calgary Oriental Traditional Chinese Dress Qipao Association, Huang Mei Opera and Peach Academy of the Arts performed alongside vendors and non-profit groups.

One of the artists presenting their work during the celebration was David Xuey.

He displayed his hand-made, unfinished model of the “Chinese Cultural Treasures on the River” during the Qingming Festival, depicting the daily life of people in Bianjing during the festival.

“It's hard to look at the people here, even if you look at the paintings in print, it's still hard to get an idea of ​​what they did,” Xu said.

“My making a 3D model like a miniature makes it easier for people to quickly look at it and understand it.”

The print itself was created in the late 11th to early 12th century and has inspired countless imitators and homages, such as the artists Rawry & Pohly, who created a mural based on the work in Chinatown.

Xu's work, a year in the making and several more months to complete, transforms elements from prints into model form, then presents those scenes alongside vignettes from the prints with description of the scene.

According to him, it is to help understand the daily life of people in China during that period.

“I think it's beautiful.”

Photos from the New Year holiday