Released on February 16, 2010

Chinese New Year Gala: Celebrating the “Year of Tiger”

February 14th , 2010 brought in the Year of the TIGER! Toronto Mandarin School held its annual celebration of the Chinese New Year on February 13th, at our North York main camp. Many of our families, friends and students attended the event and celebrated the tradition together as a big family.

The event started with a traditional lion dance, performed by one of our student named “Malcolm Adam” and his teammates, from North Legs, South Fists Lion Dance Team. The beautiful costume and the striking drum and music brought joy and happiness to everyone.

Big applause went to our little friends of 2 yrs old, 3 yrs old, 4 yrs old and 5 yrs old, from our preschool division, JINGBAO Bilingual Children’s Centre. Everyone was thrived by their cute performance of dance and singing. The staff of Toronto Mandarin School performed a song “Good Day”, and wished all a happy new year and joy of life every day.

Followed the performance, our volunteers organized a “Tiger Year Family Fun Fair” with many fun and hands-on activities of Chinese culture and traditions for the whole family to participate and enjoy, such as writing Chinese couplet, practicing Chinese-brush painting, playing Chinese riddle game and making Chinese Paper Cutting. Cai Shen (dressed up by Mr Wang, one of our staff), the Chinese God of Prosperity, is the most welcomed person on site. Many were greeted by Cai Shen and wished a picture with him. Children received a Chinese Red Packet (Hóng Bāo), to symbolize good luck and to ward off evil spirits, as a Chinese tradition in the new year.

Many of our students, parents and grandparents, dressed up in traditional Chinese clothes to express the spirit of Chinese new year. “This is a wonderful opportunity to experience children with Chinese culture and tradition. I feel even more excited here at the Mandarin School than in China. Here is a big family of diversity celebrating together!”

新年快乐 (Xin Nian Kuai Le)！

恭喜发财（Gong Xi Fa Cai）！

Click the picture to view an enlarged picture or video of the celebration.