Crowds packed the Chinatown Centre to celebrate the Lunar New Year festival this past weekend, as lion dances, speeches, and performances highlighted the beginning of the year of the fire horse that symbolizes freedom and confidence.
The event was held at the Chinatown Centre at Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street, and the Lunar Festival is one of the city’s largest annual celebrations.
Attendee Gabriel Marques said the festival offers a rare chance to experience a larger-scale celebration.
“It was a lot of fun, the dance was fabulous, I've only ever been to ones in a smaller space,” he said.
Marques said the holiday also carries a personal meaning tied to family connections.
“It’s a nice thing for family, I don't see my Chinese family super frequently,” he said.
Organizers and political members used the event to highlight the importance of Chinatown to Toronto's culture and economy.
CEO of the Toronto Business Improvement Areas, John Kiru said Chinatown is a part of a broader network of local business communities across the city.
Kiru said Toronto’s identity is shaped in its cultural diversity, shown in neighbourhoods like the Spadina Chinatown.
“Ethnic diversity, everybody knows that Toronto is the world’s most ethnically diverse city, and it's the Chinatowns, it’s Gerard India Bazaar, Little Italy, Greektown, et cetera,” he said.
He said cultural celebrations like Lunar New Year help preserve traditions and strengthen communities.
“So, it's that diversity that is in fact the strength of this city, and celebrations such as the Lunar New Year, and the continuation of the traditions of the old countries, for all the ethnic groups is very, very important. To make this city the city that it really is,” he said.
Kiru said the performances and traditions are a key to what makes the event meaningful.
“Celebrations are made up of a number of customs, so we did have the confetti, the dotting of the eye on the dragons, the lion dances, so it's all those sorts of things that have cultural significance out there,” he said
Provincial NDP leader Marit Stiles praised the organizers and volunteers.
“First of all, I just want to take a moment to recognize the extraordinary work the BIA does and the committee that organizes this every year, and most importantly, all the volunteers who make these amazing festivities happen,” she said.
Stiles also said the year of the fire horse represents “passion and drive and success and ambition” and encouraged people to support local businesses.
“Let’s support Chinatown. Let’s get that horse moving us forward. I wish you all good health, success, and prosperity this new year,” she said.
A lot of local leaders showed up to the event, saying that Chinatown has a major role in this city.
Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik told the crowd the neighbourhood is a key part of Toronto’s identity.
“This is Canada’s, this is Toronto’s oldest Chinatown, and I would say it's the most energetic,” she said.
Malik said the city is working to make sure the area remains “welcoming and vibrant,” while also supporting the small businesses that make Chinatown the special place it is.
“We talk about loving local and making sure that we support our small businesses, I'm right there with you,” she said.
