Young girls wait to participate in the Lunar New Year parade, in Vancouver, on Sunday, January 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
VANCOUVER – Dragons danced to the beat of drums through the streets of Vancouver’s historic Chinatown neighbourhood this morning.
The spectacle was part of the 50th Anniversary of the Chinatown Spring Festival Parade.
The procession began at 11 a.m. at the newly refurbished Millennium Gate and thousands lined the 1.3 kilometre route to watch.
Chinese-Canadian veterans, dancers wearing traditional Chinese garb and politicians including British Columbia Premier David Eby, who handed out envelopes of chocolate coins, were in attendance.
Carol Feng of the Hanfu Culture Association was among those dressed in traditional Chinese clothing to walk in the parade.
She says for her, the Lunar New Year serves as a reminder of where she comes from and walking in the parade is a way for her to connect to her heritage and practice tradition.
Eby issued a statement ahead of the parade saying Lunar New Year is a “reminder of the incredible contributions Asian Canadians make” to the province, and the parade also celebrates the role of the historic Vancouver neighbourhood.
He says that is why the government pledged $2.2 million in provincial funds last May to reshape and revitalize Chinatown and why the province helped create Canada’s first Chinese Canadian museum, which opened last year.
Eby says the province is also introducing new anti-racism legislation this year that aims to “address the gaps and barriers in government services and providing supports for those affected by racism.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 11, 2024.
