Vaughan Celebrates Diversity

Chinese New Year is one of the most significant holidays in Asian culture as it brings the community together to bid farewell to the year that has passed and to welcome in the New Year ahead.

 

With more than 315,000 citizens and 99 languages spoken, the City of Vaughan is a vibrant, multicultural community that celebrates diversity through festivals and events such as Chinese New Year. Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council joined residents and guests at Vaughan City Hall on Feb. 15 to usher in the Chinese New Year and welcome the Year of the Sheep.

 

Organized in partnership with the Federation of Chinese Canadians in Vaughan (FCCV) and presented by PowerStream, the event began with a traditional lion dance and eye-dotting ceremony. It also featured a traditional Lao dance, a Shaolin martial arts performance and a number of interactive activities for the whole family.

QUOTES

“The City of Vaughan is blessed with a diverse and multicultural population and we are proud to observe this joyous occasion in honour of our Chinese community and the positive influence it has in Vaughan and across Canada. We have come to know and appreciate the beautiful traditions of Chinese New Year such as the Lao dance and of course the ceremonious dotting of the lion’s eyes. Gatherings like this speak to the heartbeat of our vibrant city and I am pleased that so many residents and community partners gathered at Vaughan City Hall to celebrate together.”    
-Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua

 

“I am proud to be a part of the rich diversity that makes up our great city, and the Chinese New Year is one of many multicultural festivities that we celebrate in Vaughan. The Chinese New Year has always been a special time of year for me and my family and it’s important to carry on and share this tradition with our community. The annual event at Vaughan City Hall offers something for everyone to enjoy and is always a memorable way to usher in the new year. I would like to thank the Federation of Chinese Canadians in Vaughan, PowerStream, all the sponsors and the many volunteers for working with us to bring this special event to the City of Vaughan.”
-Ward 4 Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco

 

• The Year of the Sheep begins Feb. 19, 2015 and ends on Feb. 7, 2016
• The sheep symbolizes peace and prosperity and is the eighth of 12 animal signs in the Chinese zodiac
• This year’s Chinese New Year event at City Hall attracted hundreds of people

 

 

• City of Vaughan Chinese New Year