In Chinese traditional folk myth, Nian is a beast that attacks villages on the lunar New Year’s eve. Firecrackers were thrown, causing loud banging sounds that they hoped would intimidate and keep the nian away.
Jieying, one of the most popular Fairchild Radio hosts, has launched her own social media program named as “Miss. JY ??” since 2020 with a focus on early childhood story telling, gourmet reviews, as well as event intro in Chinese languages. Fairchild Radio is a radio station in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It broadcasts on the frequency 96.1 FM. It airs mostly Mandarin programming and is owned by the Fairchild Group. Fairchild Radio’s programming is primarily Chinese with some Asian Influence, Cambodian, Cantonese, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Laotian, Macedonian, Mandarin, Polish, Russian, Swaraj, Spanish, Thai, Urdu and Vietnamese programming airing during the evening and on weekends.
Lunar New Year is one of the biggest celebrations in the world. This year, Lunar New Year falls on February 12th and is the Year of the Ox. Many people think of China first when hearing Lunar New Year, but it is actually celebrated by many other Asian countries, regions and diaspora. Along with that comes a range of unique customs and traditions.
Lunar New Year in China
A girl holding a firecracker during the Lunar New Year period. (Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images)
In China, Lunar New Year is the busiest time of the year. The bustling of families running to catch their train and long lines of traffic from cities to hometowns shows just how busy it is.
Also known as Ch?njié, or the Spring Festival, the Lunar New Year traditionally spans a total of 15 days. Even before Lunar New Year starts, families are busy preparing to greet guests at their doorsteps. Everything is cleaned to wash away the bad luck of the past year.
Once the first day of the Lunar New Year comes, all this cleaning stops for fears that good fortune in the New Year will be swept away. New clothes are worn, or gifted to family members, to symbolize a fresh start. Red envelopes, or hóng b?o, full of money are given by adults to smiling children and young adults.
Considering red is a lucky color, it is natural that not only the envelopes are red, but also the decorations everywhere from red lanterns to red paper cut-outs. Even the lighting firecrackers and fireworks may be red. The loud noise of the firecrackers enhances the festive spirit and follows one of Lunar New Year’s most well known legends. As the legend goes, a monster called Nian would come out to eat villagers and destroy their houses on each Lunar New Year’s Eve. To scare Nian away, villagers made explosive sounds like the sound of firecrackers by burning dry bamboo. To this day, these sounds can be heard during the Lunar New Year festivities.
No matter how fun the burning of firecrackers is, the food to be shared with loved ones is what everyone is waiting for. Ji?ozi is a classic New Year’s food that resembles an antiquated currency suggesting good fortune for the New Year. The more dumplings you eat, the more money you will get.
Lunar New Year in Vietnam
Popular dishes to eat during the Lunar New Year with family. (Murtahil)
In Vietnam, Lunar New Year is called T?t Nguyên ?án, or Feast of the Very First Morning. Celebrations for T?t can last up to seven days. When looking from afar, Lunar New Year in Vietnam can feel similar to that in China. Adults give small red envelopes filled with cash to children, special holiday food is shared with family, fireworks are launched to scare away evil spirits just like Nian. But when looking closer, there are unique customs and traditions that are only done in Vietnam.
Before the Lunar New Year, red and yellow are displayed in homes and on the streets to bring good fortune. People are seen paying off as much debt as possible so that they can start off the year anew. Family altars are thoroughly cleaned and new offerings are placed there. Fruit trays with five different fruits are put out on display in the home for all guests to see.
The dawn of the Lunar New Year is the most important time. Vietnamese consider what they do on the dawn of T?t determines their fate for the whole year. Families start visiting each other and eating delicious food that takes days to prepare. Two popular foods are bánh ch?ng, or savory rice cakes, and bánh gi?y, or glutinous rice cake. Both of them are made to express gratitude to ancestors and homeland.
During the Lunar New Year, it is important to wish each other prosperity and luck. These wishes are passed onto the nuclear family on the first day of T?t. Traditionally but not strictly, friends are also given wishes on the second day and teachers, who command respect in Vietnam, are visited on the third day.
Lunar New Year in Mongolia
An elder and young woman performing “zolgokh,” a special greeting done to an elder.
Mongolia also celebrates Lunar New Year, or Tsagaan Sar (?????? ???), to renew family ties and honour the elderly. Just like China and Vietnam, homes are cleaned up thoroughly on New Year’s Eve and new clothes are prepared in advance. Some families even ride their finest horses.
In the evening, families prepare a big meal with lots of fresh food for a feast, such as dumplings, meat, and dairy products. One of the most popular dishes is a tower of pastries. Long rounded scone-like cookies are arranged to evoke Mount Sumeru—a five-peaked mountain of holy importance to Hindu, Jain and Buddhist cosmology.
Some families sit around to watch the countrywide broadcasting of a big wrestling match, while children play traditional games, mostly with toys made with animal bones. At night, before sleeping, three pieces of ice are put at the doorway for the horse of the deity Palden Lhamo to drink while he visits the family.
The first to wake up in the morning of the New Year is the housewife, who wakes up before dawn to offer the first cup of tea to gods in all directions. After the sunrise, families burn incenses and pray for a successful and peaceful year. Then, families gather again to enjoy the festivities. They stretch their arms and the younger supports the elbows of the senior. This gesture is called “zolgolt” and is done to give energy to the elders to help them get through another year. In exchange, the senior or elder wishes a long and happy life to the young.
Lunar New Year in South Korea
Food prepared as a gift for one’s ancestors on Lunar New Year (Asia Society)
Lunar New Year, or Seollal (??), in South Korea is the most important time of the year. Even though it is only three days long, families travel back to their family homes and enjoy the festivities with loved ones. Children are seen wearing hanbok, traditional Korean clothes, and playing games with each other.
Before Lunar New Year, a great number of dumplings and other traditional foods are made for the ceremonies that will take place on Lunar New Year. Making dumplings takes a long time and is seen as an activity to be done by the family together.
Although spending time together with the family is important, the most important part of Seollal is preparing food as a gift for one’s ancestors. Food is set out on a large table where family members perform deep bows to show respect to their ancestors. Once this is done, all family members sit down together and dig into the delicious foods. The most important food is tteokguk, a soup made using sliced rice cakes. The act of eating tteokguk on the New Year turns everyone one year older. The clear broth symbolizes a fresh, clear start to the New Year, while rice cakes resemble coins offering prosperity.
After eating, younger people kneel on the ground and bow deeply so that their hands are on the ground. While doing this, they wish them luck in the New Year. In return, the elders give them money tucked inside an envelope.
Lunar New Year in Tibet
Traditional dancing that takes place during the festival. (Tibetpedia)
In Tibet, Lunar New Year is known as Losar (???????). Losar is actually not always on the same date as China’s Lunar New Year, but it is usually not far off. The days preceding Lunar New Year have similarities to other countries that celebrate the New Year. Families are cleaning their houses and cooking special dishes. One special dish is a soup served with small dumplings called Guthuk. These dumplings are special in which some are jokingly stuffed with small pebbles, wool, charcoal or hot chilli inside. Each symbolizes something different; for example, wool symbolizes good-heartedness, while a coin will bring prosperity and fortune.
A special ceremony is done before the Lunar New Year to expel ghosts. People carry big bowls of food out of their house while a number of people holding torches run after them yelling to get rid of evil spirits from their houses. Everyone arrives at a big campfire before smashing the bowls and throwing them into the fire.
On the first day of Lunar New Year, the housewife wakes up very early. She sits beside the window waiting for the sunrise. As the first ray of sunshine hits the earth, she takes a bucket and heads to a nearby river or well to fetch the year’s first bucket of water. This water is seen as the clearest water of the coming year and whoever reaches the river/well first is blessed with good luck for the coming year. Other family members start waking up and put on new clothes after taking a bath. Together, families place offerings to the gods and exchange gifts. More food is shared, some even given to the deities, such as barley grains and wild ginseng.
Children offer gifts to their elders on Losar. Wearing traditional clothing, they bring baskets containing cooked meats, steamed dumplings, fruit, sweets and traditional bread for the elderly.
Even in countries that do not traditionally celebrate the Lunar New Year, like Canada, the growth of Asian populations, especially those of Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese descent, has contributed to the increasing celebration and cultural awareness of Lunar New Year. Although celebrations and formal dates encompassing the holiday vary by place and culture, one common sentiment is shared: reuniting with immediate and extended family to ring in the New Year.
To learn more about Lunar New Year traditions and history:
Looking ahead to the Lunar New Year, I am both excited about the celebration, and hopeful that we will all come out of this global COVID-19 struggle as more resilient and stronger communities. Lunar New Year celebrations are always joyful opportunities to share our new hopes, prosperity, and the welcoming of light. Children, in particular, love this time because of the stories, the sweets, and the presents, but while good food and presents are enjoyable, share time with family and friends is the most treasured, even if it must be virtually this time.
So, as the Lunar New Year celebrations are enjoyed around the world, here at home, we are also proud of all the different cultures and heritages that enrich our country’s diversity.
Wishing everyone prosperity and success this 2021 Lunar New Year.
Many people are leaving 2020 behind and hoping for a new year that is not characterized by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The year 2021, or the Year of the Ox according to the lunar calendar, may just bring about that. As the second animal of the zodiac, the ox denotes hard work, stability, and positivity. These characteristics are just what are needed to have a more prosperous year in 2021.
This year, the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society hopes to shine light onto the many countries that celebrate Lunar New Year, including China, Vietnam, Korea, and Mongolia. On February 12th, the first day of the 2021 Lunar New Year, a blog will be published on the website to give a glimpse into these special traditions. Even though the traditions are different from country to country, the purpose is the same: coming together with loved ones to celebrate the New Year and the beginning of the spring season.
Celia Leung was born in Hong Kong and moved to Canada with her family in 1997. She loves painting, calligraphy, and stone-seal engraving. She learnt these three forms of Art through the teaching of Mr. Yukman Lai from year 1998 to 2013. After the passing of her teacher and mentor, she continued to enjoy sharing her artworks with others. She appreciates the beauty of nature crafted by God.
It was a challenging year 2020 to 2021 as we are in the midst of pandemic and many have to cope with different new norms. As a freelance artist I used to demonstrate calligraphy in public settings since 2018, but since the social distancing requirements these events were no possible last year. I am glad my calligraphy demonstration at Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic site turned into a virtual event. Celia demonstrated the following poem.
???? A five-character quatrain ??????? “River Snow” by Liu Zongyuan Celia
????? Mountains, birds all flown, ????? people’s footprints gone, ????? old man in a boat ????? fishing snows, alone.
A calligraphy demonstration at Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic
I would love to continue creating art pieces that can connect with others. My brother John Leung and I decided to form the community wellness group and we have invited our parents, my in laws, and Dr. Vivian Lo who were my former students to do painting collaborations with us. It was our family tradition to paint together and this time, we wanted to collaborate with our students.
This idea has been accepted by City of Richmond’s No. 3 Road Art Column. The exhibition theme is “Better Tomorrow” with natural scenes, and freedom in watercolours
From left to right: “Herons at Britannia Shipyard” – Ann Yik and Michael Leung, with John Leung, “Canadian Geese at Terra Nova Park” – Dr. Vivian Lo with Celia Leung, “Embracing Diversities” – Angela, Celia, and John Leung, “Herons at Britannia Shipyard” – Ann Yik and Michael Leung, with John Leung
From Left to Right: John Leung , Celia Leung, Leticia Sánchez, and Angela Leung
Fireworks at English Bay 2020
A hopeful painting to celebrate the New Year and hope the pandemic will be over soon, so we can get back to our norms.
Celia wishes to give back to the community during this difficult time and be part of this project organized by Vancouver Point Grey Lions Club to fundraise for Food Bank, Dog Guide training fund, and Villa Cathay Senior Home. They tallied over $2,000 benefiting these organizations during Christmas time and hope to continue the project till Chinese New Year. Please visit celia.wixsite.com/artwork for more information.
Jim Wong-Chu was not only a well-known Asian-Canadian historian, editor, author and poet, but also one of the founding members of the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society.
On February 24, 1999, Jim Wong-chu along with Winston Xin, Mishtu Banerjee, Grace Eiko Thompson, and Mo-Ling Chui officially created the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society as a not-for-profit organization. Being a strong social advocate, Jim Wong-Chu envisioned and designed the first explorASIAN Festival program. The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society is where it is today because of Jim Wong-Chu and his dedication towards Asian-Canadian heritage and arts. To learn more about his legacy, click here
Jim Wong-Chu commemorated on the homepage of Google, January 28, 2021
January is more than just the first month of the year when Canadians are working hard to accomplish New Year’s resolutions. It is also Tamil Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions that Canadians of Tamil descent have made to the growth and prosperity of Canada. January was chosen as the month for Tamil Heritage Month since January is a very important month for Tamil Canadians. This is when the multi-day Tamil Harvest Festival, Thai Pongal, is celebrated.
The Tamil people are an ethnic group originally from southern India and Sri Lanka with a recorded history going back more than 2,000 years. Tamils began immigrating to Canada as early as the 1950s. With the outbreak of riots and eventual civil war in Sri Lanka in 1983, Tamil migration to Canada increased significantly.
Since the civil war broke out, Tamil culture and freedom of expression in Sri Lanka became marginalized, especially after decades of repressive policies by the government that saw religious practices prohibited and heritage destroyed. Even within Canada, when the Tamil community mobilized roughly ten years ago to create awareness of the bloody civil war and massacres of Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka, they faced racist and anti-immigration backlash, and were called terrorists among other things.
Despite the tremendous obstacles that Tamil Canadians had to overcome before and after their arrival to Canada, they have made great contributions to Canada’s social, economic, political and cultural fabric. Some of the notary Tamil Canadians who have contributed to Canadian society, as well as abroad, are:
Rathika Sitsabaiesan, who was elected in 2011 as the first Tamil-Canadian Member of Parliament.
Table Tennis Player Pradeeban Peter-Paul, who qualified to play table tennis in the 2008 Olympics for Canada.
Many Sri Lankan Tamils are now settled in Toronto, which is currently home to the largest Sri Lankan Tamil population outside of Sri Lanka. There are other Tamil diaspora communities also found in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa.
Since 2016, Tamil Heritage Month is celebrated all over Canada to increase awareness and appreciation for all the achievements and contributions of Tamil-Canadians. Especially during this difficult time when everyone is stuck in their bubble because of government regulations, it is even more important to proactively be aware of and appreciate the experiences of those outside your bubble.
“Awareness is the greatest agent for change.” – Eckhart Tolle
To learn more about the Tamil diaspora and their heritage, click below:
On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, it gives me great pleasure to present our Annual Report.
Since its inception, VAHMS has opened dialogues about equity, inclusion, diversity, and collaboration by inviting our diverse communities to come together and celebrate the many Pan-Asian heritages and cultures that enrich the harmonious diversity of Canada.
explorASIAN Festival has provided a means for those who identify as Asian & Asian Canadians to show their talents and access audiences. It has encouraged public and private educational institutions and cultural organizations to collaborate in celebrating Asian Heritage Month.
Today, we recognise all the accomplishments that previous board members, senior advisors, partner organizations, sponsors, donors, and volunteers achieved in past years. At the same time, we congratulate the VAHMS team for the good work, and great success achieved by transforming and delivering a complete virtual explorASIAN Festival in a challenging 2020.
2021 is a crucial year to improve many aspects of the organization; especially, the challenging situation on hand to maintain financial stability. This is a year to take strong action and come forward in support of VAHMS to raise the much-needed funding.
VAHMS is in its third year of the Strategic Direction 2019-2021, the implementation and completion of our goals has seen periods of success in difficult times. We have reached great milestones in terms of growth by presenting more than 50 events in May, connecting with audiences at local & National levels, the events we produced, and the increase on our online platforms’ attendance. More importantly, the learning opportunities have enriched the organization and its explorASIAN Festival.
On that note: The graphs show the increase in audience reach from 2017 to 2020, as well as the Social media increase in 2019 and 2020.
Last year’s “Pan-Asian Cultural Connections” aimed at furthering VAHMS vision and expanding integration and sense of community. We, as many other cultural organizations, have faced great challenges, but we have been resilient to adapt and learn from whatever the circumstances.
Our accomplishments in 2020:
We were granted monies from Canadian Heritage, and City of Vancouver
We kept our expenditures within budget
We developed a marketing and communications strategy and a cohesive and updated branding for VAHMS and explorASIAN Festival.
We reached out to more cities in Metro Vancouver and renovated alliances with our long-time partners
We produced the Vancouver Satellite working groups during the 2nd National Asian Heritage Symposium in Montreal, and we are now connected with other Asian Heritage Month organizations in Canada
The Digital Strategy, Education, and Critical Issues for Asian Canadians virtual Working Groups now allow us to work and connect directly with Montreal, Manitoba, Toronto, Edmonton, and New Brunswick.
The lock down of mayor Cities in Metro Vancouver forced us to cancel our festival and fundraising events. Despite the circumstances, our quick response to the challenges, allowed us to reinvent explorASIAN festival by producing it 100% virtually and promoting 39 of the original 50 events scheduled in May
VAHMS Director, Jasper Sloan Yip, led the virtual components of the 2020 Festival
We continued the virtual Interconnected touring exhibitions on the website
Director Shahid Abrar ul-Hassan led four bi-monthly VAHMS connections events.
VPL prepared the Asian Heritage reading list that can be found on our website
Our Challenges in 2020
Our financial growth took a hard hit due to the cancellation of our Fundraising Gala event, and Silent Auction.
Many our stakeholders and sponsors had to suspend their community support programs to put more resources into community health and services.
The lack of enough grant adjudications has put our financial stability at risk. I recognize we have a challenging situation on hand as VAHMS needs to raise enough funds for 2022.
Some of the initiatives put on hold in 2020, have been restarted:
Collaboration with non-Asian and Indigenous communities and organizations to expand our educational programming.
Seek more fundraising, and secure enough donations for the Silent Auction.
Attract volunteers and retain those who are already supporting our initiatives
The Strategic Direction 2021–2023 will build on the successes delivered under the previous plan and will continue to guide VAHMS mission of fostering, promoting, and celebrating Asian- Canadian arts and culture.
To consolidate our efforts in 2021 we will
Review and update our strategic Plan
Produce a 5-year business plan to direct our efforts to attain our main objectives of:
Educating the wider community about the importance of knowing more about Asian Heritage.
Creating opportunities for Asian-Canadians to network, collaborate and expand their outreach
Facilitating and promoting explorASIAN festival and partner events
Providing a safe platform to address critical issues facing Asian-Canadians and discussing solutions that foster inclusion, equity, and diversity
Securing collaborations with our cultural partners to develop a shared language of unity to discuss matters of reconciliation, equity, anti-racism, cultural competence, accessibility, and shared values.
To attain these objectives, we are determined to continue producing virtual and live streamed events to generate more cultural awareness of the Pan Asian-Canadian communities and their heritage
The 25th Anniversary of explorASIAN programming will be possible thanks to VAHMS collaboration with cultural institutions and community organizations that are coming together to enhance the celebration of Asian Heritage Month.
Our Virtual Recognition Awards main fundraising event 2021 will include an online Silent Auction
We have secured collaborations with our partners to produce meaningful events.
the Interconnected, project will add a monthly virtual artist spotlight to network and build new relationships with Galleries Curators, and VAHMS.
VAHMS Connections educational program will continue delivering its bi-monthly events.
Critical and Digital Strategy working groups meetings will be mainly hosted by VAHMS.
The Board of Directors has considered the importance to acquire a Charitable status for the organization to better support VAHMS fundraising efforts. The process started last year and will continue in 2021.
The 2021 Resource Development Committee will increase Grant applications, Donation Campaigns & Sponsorships.
The Marketing and Communications Committee will work towards increasing social media posts, blogs, and virtual events.
Increasing awareness amongst local university students in Asian Area Studies, International Relations, and Local organizations.
Providing board, members, staff, and volunteers with a sense of fulfillment by involving them in participating events, public campaigns, and learning opportunities.
2021 also marks my last term as President and Director of VAHMS. Since I started as a member in 2015, VAHMS has provided me the pleasure to work with many talented people and the opportunity to give back to society. VAHMS has always been an inclusive, respectful, and vibrant organization that has opened opportunities for all of us to thrive. I have been very proud of being part of VAHMS and all that we do for artists and organizations to come together and celebrate Asian Heritage Month.
It will not be easy to move on, but all good things come to an end, and when I finish my term, I will keep all the experiences treasured in my heart.
I will finish with a Thomas Emerson quote that exemplifies our efforts.
“Learn from the past, live in the Present, and prepare for the future”
In 2020 Interconnected went virtual and this year, our focus will be creating virtual spaces for Pan-Asian Canadian artists to showcase their art and stories. The project aims to build and develop an inclusive artist and gallery network that will support Pan Asian-Canadian Art in a lasting and meaningful way, and we’re starting one artist at a time.
This month we are launching our new Interconnected Virtual Artist Spotlight Series, which will showcase a different Asian-Canadian artist each month through the creation of virtual exhibition space. Participating artists self-curate their exhibitions and share their stories in bespoke virtual environments created by Interconnected and promoted by explorASIAN and our other Interconnected Community partners. Our first participating artist is Debra Zhou!
Debra Zhou
All life energy is stored in a seed (series), 2019, watercolour on paper, 12×12 inches
Metro Vancouver-based artist Debra Zhou started her art journey as a child growing up in Shanghai, China, where the interconnection of Eastern and Western culture has been woven into the fabric of the city for generations. Art naturally came to her at a young age, and she excelled in painting and drawing throughout her school years. Moving to Canada as she turned 18 was a major transition, and the need for self-discovery and expression led her to pursue a degree in Psychology, a subject that was not popular among first generation Chinese immigrants. However, art remained a constant passion for her as she continued to develop her artistic voice.
The Stage, 2019, watercolour on paper, 11 x 14 inches
It is a strange world that we live in yet everything seems to have happened before, 2019, Watercolour on paper, 11 x 14 inches
To immerse herself in art, she sought out a curatorial practice that focused on contemporary art and produced exhibitions for local arts organizations. Later she devoted years working as a communications and fundraising professional at the Vancouver Art Gallery, taking a supportive role to help promote and fund artistic productions. Energized by what she has resonated with over time, she felt even more compelled to resume her own artistic practice with new and bold gestures. In recent years, she has produced a body of watercolour paintings inspired by our natural world and outer space.
“These meditative and dream-like paintings reference their brush strokes to Chinese ink painting and incorporate elements of nature, cosmic impressions and subconscious imagery to create a sense of power, wonder, freedom, mystery and curiosity.“
From left to right: Field Study, 2018 watercolour on paper, 11×15 inches, Making Waves (series), 2018 watercolour on Paper, 9×12 inches, Making Waves (series), 2018, watercolour on Paper, 9×12 inches
These meditative and dream-like paintings reference their brush strokes to Chinese ink painting and incorporate elements of nature, cosmic impressions and subconscious imagery to create a sense of power, wonder, freedom, mystery and curiosity. The use of water as a medium is very intentional as a recognition to the passing of time, chance happening and transformation. Debra also supports local charities through donating artworks to auctions by the Richmond Art Gallery, Access Gallery, Arts Umbrella and Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation.
Climb a mountain to see the stars, 2019, watercolour on paper, 9×12 inches
As 2020 comes to a close, Vancouver artist Son of James returns with “2020 Get Lost” just in time to play this challenging year out. Band leader Shon Wong is joined by musicians Adam Richards (Vocals/Piano), Michelle Kwan (Cello/Guzheng), Jackie Nguyen (Vocals), Alan Ruiz (Bass), Eric Tsang (Sax), Gabriel Yorston (Congas), and Jason Overy (Drums).
The Holiday Season is a joyous and happy time for all of us, and though this year does not resemble holidays past, we must continue to be kind to others and ourselves. I am immensely grateful for the hope that the vaccine offers to the world, knowing that the end of this challenging time is approaching. This year VAHMS cancelled all live events, including our annual fundraising Gala where we gather with friends and family to celebrate the end of explorASIAN and Asian Heritage Month in Canada. Though we struggled, we also had the opportunity to virtually transform explorASIAN and present it directly to your homes. In many ways, embracing digital platforms erased the distance between us, making it possible, for instance, for VAHMS to participate in the 2nd National Asian Heritage Month Symposium for the first time. We stood in solidarity with antiracism and inclusion campaigns, and connected with new communities beyond Metro-Vancouver.
Now, the VAHMS team is working non-stop to prepare for explorASIAN 2021 when we will celebrate our 25th Anniversary. We want to come back stronger and produce more educational programs that support Asian-Canadian arts, culture and heritage, and we cannot do it without you. I am inviting you to join us. Your help is needed in the form of volunteering, becoming a member, or becoming a VAHMS donor. Together we can make our next Asian Heritage Month celebration a festival to be remembered. In the meantime, however you celebrate this Holiday Season, please stay safe, keep well, and may each of you have a joyous New Year.
