Vaughan Celebrates Chinese New Year and Welcomes the Year of the Snake
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On Sunday, February 17, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council joined the Federation of Chinese Canadians in York Region (FCCYR), special guests and residents at Vaughan City Hall to celebrate the Chinese New Year and welcome the Year of the Snake.
“The City of Vaughan takes great pride in its diversity and values the role the Chinese community has played in shaping the landscape of our growing City,” said Mayor Bevilacqua. “The Chinese New Year celebration allows all of us an opportunity to experience and share in the customs and traditions that contribute to Vaughan’s rich multicultural heritage. As we welcome the Year of the Snake, it is important to remember that our community is stronger because of the many different cultures that make up this great City.”
The celebration opened with an official welcome from Mayor Bevilacqua, followed by a traditional lion dance eye-dotting ceremony. With the support of the FCCYR and PowerStream, the presenting sponsor, as well as a number of other sponsors and community supporters, a variety of entertainment and cultural presentations were featured. The event included a performance by the Shaolin Monks, traditional Chinese folk dance and instruments, fortune-telling, a tae kwon do demonstration, Chinese opera and the God of Fortune. Families enjoyed Chinese calligraphy and craft activities, art displays and customary Chinese refreshments.
"The Chinese New Year is a time of coming together in a shared celebration," said Ward 4 Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco. "As one of the most significant holidays in Asian culture, the Chinese New Year offers the perfect occasion for residents, community groups and businesses to learn and take part in Chinese customs and festivities. I would like to thank the Federation of Chinese Canadians in York Region, PowerStream, all the sponsors and the many volunteers for working with us to bring this special event to the City of Vaughan.”
The Chinese New Year is one of the most elaborate, colourful and important traditional Chinese festivals celebrated around the world. It is a time to congratulate each other on having completed another year, and a time to part with the old and welcome in the new.
"The Chinese New Year is a time of coming together in a shared celebration," said Ward 4 Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco. "As one of the most significant holidays in Asian culture, the Chinese New Year offers the perfect occasion for residents, community groups and businesses to learn and take part in Chinese customs and festivities. I would like to thank the Federation of Chinese Canadians in York Region, PowerStream, all the sponsors and the many volunteers for working with us to bring this special event to the City of Vaughan.”
The Chinese New Year is one of the most elaborate, colourful and important traditional Chinese festivals celebrated around the world. It is a time to congratulate each other on having completed another year, and a time to part with the old and welcome in the new.
The Year of the Snake signifies steady progress and attention to detail. The snake is the sixth sign of the 12 animal signs in the Chinese zodiac.
(L to R) Mayor Bevilacqua, Deputy Consul General Meifang Zhang and Dr. Ken Ng, Chairman of the Federation of Chinese Canadians in York Region, dot the eyes of the lion.
The Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Ward 4 Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco dot the eyes of the lion.
Chinese Opera performs at the Vaughan Chinese New Year Celebration.
The Black Belt World presents a tae kwon do demonstration during the celebration.