The Year of the Tiger is approaching! With the support of the Ministry of Culture of Taiwan, Asian-Canadian Special Events Association (ACSEA) is going to launch the 2022 LunarFest, a month-long celebration themed “Together, Stronger!” from January 27th to February 21st. For the in-person activities in Vancouver, there are outdoor exhibitions of “The Lantern City,” Artist Lady Hao Hao’s art installation of “West End Wishes” and one music concert at the Orpheum. The virtual programs include children’s lantern workshops, culinary programs, fortune-telling and acrobatics! All are welcome to join the 2022 LunarFest and celebrate the Year of the Tiger together!
The lantern works of “The Lantern City” are created by 10 indigenous and multi-ethnic artists from Taiwan and Canada, including artists Hung Tung and Pacake Taugadhu. The works will be displayed at North of the Vancouver Art Gallery (“We Are A Family” from Jan. 27th to Feb. 9th) and Granville Island (“Forever Young” from Jan. 29th to Feb. 21st). It is also the first time that the Canadian icon performing group “Cirque du Soleil” brings their performance to Granville Island. Additionally, ACSEA invites Taiwan’s renowned world music composer Mr. Chao-Ming Tung and pipa Master Ms. Hui-Kuan Lin to perform a special work “Woven Melodies.” People can watch their performance virtually or in person at the exhibition venue.
Due to the pandemic, the two-day festivities of fortune-telling, workshops and acrobatics at North of the Vancouver Art Gallery on February 5th and 6th will move online. From January 30th to February 15th, the art installation of “West End Wishes” will take place at Robson/Cardero Street while the culinary programs are presented virtually. On February 1st, Harmonia String Ensemble with Vivaldi Choir and Vancouver Zion Mission Choir will give a musical treat, “Together, Forte!” at the Orpheum.
Charlie Wu, the managing director of ACSEA, particularly mentions that the concept of the leopard cat and river recovery in Taiwan is the epitome of harmonious coexistence with nature. ACSEA expects that the Lunar New Year event could manifest the progressive values of the city while also relating such eastern cultural practices to local communities.