My experience of the Lunar New Year Parade in Vancouver
I am Xinwei Wang, a new immigrant to Canada, an ISSofBC Settlement Services client, and a LINC English language student. On Sunday, February 22, as a client of ISSofBC, I had the privilege of personally participating in the grand and joyous Chinatown Lunar New Year parade in downtown Vancouver. On foreign soil, immersing myself in such a vibrant Lunar New Year atmosphere for the first time as a participant, I was incredibly excited and overjoyed.
The scale of the parade far exceeded my expectations: 85 teams, over 4,000 participants, a magnificent procession; and tens of thousands of spectators lining the streets! The entire Chinatown was abuzz with excitement, the sounds of drums and cheers blending into a sea of joy.
Before my eyes, a dazzling array of sights unfolded: golden dragons soaring and dancing, lions leaping gracefully, the waist drum team’s drumbeats stirring the soul, and the powerful yet graceful movements of Kung Fu… every scene filled me with immense warmth and sense of identity. What surprised and impressed me most was the presence of diverse community groups including veterans, civil servants, Vancouver mounted police and even Canadian Army with their military vehicles joining the parade! This harmonious blend of different cultures, brimming with respect, was remarkably simple joy in a freezing rainy winter morning.
Watching the residents and visitors from afar clapping and cheering in unison, shouting “Happy New Year!”, I truly felt that traditional cultures are respected and practiced being a vibrant mosaic of our new identity.
Thank you to ISSofBC for organizing so many amazing programs so we can feel at home in the new country! Thank you to all the friends who made it possible for me to participate in this event!
