Today's Hours: Open Wed-Sunday from 9:30am to 4pm (last entry 3:30pm) | 578 Carrall Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5K2 Canada

Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2022

Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2022

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Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2022

Since the early 1990’s Canadians have come together every May to celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to reflect upon the long and rich history of Asian Canadians whose immense contributions and inclusive rhetoric has helped to shape Canada into a vibrant, inclusive and compassionate society.

As we honour the past, reminiscing and cherishing the echoes of the lives of these pioneers, we proudly carry their legacy forward and will continue to stand up against injustice and racial discrimination.

Take the example of Mya Ling, a 13 year old whose 2020 Asian Heritage Month grade 6 project featured Joe Wai.

I think it’s important that we spread awareness and educate others about the rich history of Chinese people. By educating others, this helps celebrate diversity. “Diversity is our strength” is the message we should continue to embrace.

MAY 1 (1PM - 2:30PM)

Home, Heritage & Migration: a poetry workshop

Join us and Vancouver Poet Laureate Fiona Tinwei Lam as we launch our Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2022 Program.

How do we start to write evocative poems that can articulate our experience as Canadians of Asian descent, whether we or our ancestors were born here or elsewhere? Fiona will lead participants through a writing exercise and writing prompts to help you draft poems of your own. Please bring a relevant photo or portable object to the session.

MAY 7 (3PM - 4:30PM)

LiterASIAN Writers Festival Opening Day

This discussion features authors from non-fiction and fiction worlds that celebrate an array of stories, characters, and humour, to inspire creativity in Canadian literature. As writers, what are they up against? What are they telling us? A new wave of writers reveals how they are envisioning not just individual lives, but communities and countries, as well as the way history has been given to us. More than ever before, their voices as writers are investigating where they stand. Moderated by author Julia Lin and introduction by Fiona Tinwei Lam.

MAY 8 (10AM - 2:00PM)

Create your unique Mother's Day Card

Join us in the Garden to create your own Mother’s Day card! Greetings cards will be available – use our Garden views to design a beautiful art card or use your calligraphy skills to tell mom how much she means to you.

This is an extra-special day where we recognize and appreciate mothers’ roles in our lives. Thank you to a entire generation of mothers—grandmothers, great-grandmothers, stepmothers—as well as to mother figures for your kindness, support and selflessness.

MAY 14 (10AM - 3:00PM)

Family Days

Join us with your family during Asian Heritage Month! Find traditional Chinese games, and celebrate Spring in the Garden with crafts inspired by our plants and flowers. 

Don’t forget to enter your name in to our Prize Draw to win a special prize. 

Plus: 12:00pm: Family Guided Garden Tour of the Garden 

Enjoy a tour around our Garden, learning about the family that lived there, looking for animals and using your senses! Suitable for all ages.

May 15 (12PM TO 2:00PM)

Book Launch - Best Hikes and Nature Walks With Kids In and Around Southwestern British Columbia

Join us, author Stephen Hui and AdventureSmart for the book launch of this new guide to 55 fun hikes near Vancouver, field-tested by parents and kids.

Bestselling guidebook author Stephen Hui has carefully chosen 55 trails for kids of a variety of ages and skill levels.

The new book will be available for sale and signing by the author at the event

May 19 (5PM TO 6:15PM)

Spells For Chinatown vol. 2

We are thrilled to partner with Dumb Instrument Dance and a roster of talented artists in an installation that sends healing prayers and good vibrations into the world.

Multiple areas of the Garden will be animated through incantations of movement and music.

May 20 (6PM TO 9:30PM)

Enchanted Evenings with Kristina Lao

We are proud to present our Enchanted Evenings launch with the inimitable artist-advocate, Kristina Lao on Friday May 20th from 6:30pm to 9:30pm.

“Feels Like Home” is an interactive activation of our beloved Garden Space, with live and improvised poetry penned for each guest, Hong Kong street food to enliven your senses, and an enchanting acoustically led musical performance as the sun sets.

May 21 (11AM TO 12:00PM)

Eating for the seasons with kyth+kyn: Spring edition

Learn how to incorporate Chinese herbs into your diet and optimize your health with principles from Chinese Medicine food therapy. In this educational cooking workshop, you’ll learn what to eat during the Springtime and try a recipe using Chinese herbs you can easily make at home.

Includes admission to the Garden.
Limited spots available.

May 29 (12PM TO 1:00PM)

Tea Appreciation Workshop

Do you love tea and wish to learn more about its origin, culture and why its consumption it is so commonly associate with a mindful and healthy lifestyle?

Join us on Sunday, May 29th from 12pm to 1pm for an intimate workshop hosted by senior trainer of traditional Chinese tea ceremony and in-house tea artist, Lillian Li.

You will learn about tea tasting, aesthetics and tea etiquette.

Bring your own small tea cup or purchase one in the Gift Shop.

May 29 (2PM TO 2:45PM)

Artist Tour

The Garden’s current Artist in Residence, Xiangmei Su, will give an artist tour to explain in more detail the inspiration behind Intangible Thread Part 2.

What inspired her? How does it connect to Part One?

“In part two, I use thread and pins to create 3D art works on Canvas. The occupation of weaving as one of the important traditional technologies and methods in Suzhou was passed on from my grandma and mum to me.”

May 29 (5PM TO 6:15PM)

Spells For Chinatown vol. 2

We are thrilled to partner with Dumb Instrument Dance and a roster of talented artists in an installation that sends healing prayers and good vibrations into the world.

Multiple areas of the Garden will be animated through incantations of movement and music.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

Crossing Borders, Removing Barriers Lessons and Worksheets

Crossing Borders, Removing Barriers is a 3 module set of lessons aimed mostly at Grade 5 with extension activities for high school. Follow the true story of the Great-Grandfather of Lorraine Lowe, Director of the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden, who came to Canada in the early 1900s to work for the CPR. This printable resource will be available for free from our website and will include the option to rent an accompanying classroom kit.

Hidden Figures

We are proud to present Hidden Figures: a free, printable collection of the real life stories of notable Chinese Canadians (PDF). Written for intermediate level students and intended as a class resource. Perfect for Asian Heritage Month! Download here

Exploring Chinese Symbols: Art activity for schools

We are happy to offer two printable art activities by donation during Asian Heritage Month. All of the proceeds will go towards supporting our Education programs. Thank you for your support!

Exploring Chinese Symbols: Bats: This art activity is inspired by the bat symbolism and shapes found in our Garden.

Teachers will have access to lesson plans, which include teaching notes, plus photocopiable materials for the activity.

It’s all about bats ?

Order here

Exploring Chinese Symbols: Art activity for schools

We are happy to offer two printable art activities by donation during Asian Heritage Month. All of the proceeds will go towards supporting our Education programs. Thank you for your support!

Framing Views: This adaptable art activity is inspired by our traditional leak windows that frame and reveal Garden views.

Teachers will have access to lesson plans, which include teaching notes, plus photocopiable materials for the activity. Class craft materials are also available to pick up for the Framing Views activity.

Order here

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