Cultural Exchange Between Chinese and Celts at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
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THE EXQUISITE Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is nestled behind high white walls of Vancouver's Chinatown
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VANCOUVER - For the past five years the Chinatown Arts and Cultural Festival has presented a multi-cultural festival at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Park Courtyard in Chinatown.
The festival celebrates the multi-cultural heritage of the various ethnic groups in Vancouver, and this year for the first time all the Celtic communities were invited to participate.
Celtic Day was held at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens on July 9, with a number of Celtic groups presenting their history and culture through music, dance and sport.
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| BC LEE, the emcee for the Chinatown Arts and Cultural Festival with Yvonne Chui, the executive director of the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden and festival organizer, along with Catholine Butler of The Celtic Connection newspaper. |
The exquisite Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is nestled behind high white walls of Vancouver's Chinatown, and it is a haven of serenity and a photographer’s delight. The garden is rich in symbolism, with intricate carvings and architecture in a unique landscape masterpiece. It can be enjoyed in every season and year round.
A bridge between cultures: the governments of Canada and the People’s Republic of China collaborated to create this Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) garden, museum and cultural attraction which opened in 1986. Its mandate is to be a bridge of understanding between China and the West. Each year, 95,000 visitors enjoy these beautiful gardens.
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STOMPING FIDDLE PLAYER Doug Medley, entertaining at the Chinatown Festival.
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In collaboration with The Celtic Connection, representatives from the Celtic communities took part in an afternoon of music, dance and sports in the beautiful multipurpose hall next to the classical gardens. Rain prevented the presentations from taking place in the large courtyard.
Emcee for the afternoon was B.C. Lee who introduced the various groups, giving some background about the Celtic culture and heritage. It was obvious that he had taken the time and effort to do considerable research regarding the Celts.
The Fraser River Fiddlers, a group of young fiddlers under the direction of Lorraine Grescoe, started of the afternoon with some lively fiddling. The young boys and girls took several positions, such as playing the fiddle behind their back and on the floor, yet never missing a beat, much to the delight of the audience.
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JOHN O'FLYNN of the ISSC demonstrating Gaelic football and hurling to the audience at the Chinatown Festival.
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Kilted fiddler Doug Medley jumped around the stage and floor, taking his fiddle down to the audience. He also played for Irish dancers, Catherine Flynn and Kaia Piggot-Duggan of the Moore School of Irish Dance. With his kilt swaying, Doug plays all the old strathspey and reels. All he needs to complete his outfit is a big pair of stompin' boots like Ashley MacIsaac.
The Tartan Pride Highland Dance Team under the direction of teacher, Joan Murray, took to the stage with their polished and professional presentation of Highland dancing along with some pipers.
The Rogers School of Irish Dance founded by Caroline Rogers is a new school in the community with young up-and-coming Irish dancers. These dancers were smartly dressed in costumes designed by Caroline.
John O'Flynn of the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club gave a demonstration of the Gaelic games of hurling and football. John invited the audience to feel the wood of the hurling stick and to try their hand at hurling the ball which intrigued young and old alike in the audience.
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THE MULTI-TALENTED PERFORMERS with the De Danaan School of Irish Dance played the fiddle and provided demonstrations of their dancing skills.
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LESLIE WILSON |
Finally, the Scoil Rince De Danaan Irish Dancers, under the direction of teacher Leslie Wilson, took to the stage. Having just arrived back from the North American Irish Dance Championships in Nashville, this young troupe of Irish dancers and musicians just blew everyone away with their confidence and professionalism.
One young dancer, Fred Nguyen, had just won First Place Boys Under 11 in Nashville and it was easy to see why he won such this award - he was absolutely outstanding.
Special thanks to Yvonne Chui the Executive Director of Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Gardens and organizer of the festival for inviting the Celtic communities to participate in this year’s Chinatown Arts and Cultural Festival. This was an excellent opportunity for the Celtic communities to present their traditions and culture to the Chinese community. May there be many more such opportunities and pleasant afternoons to enjoy each other’s culture and traditions.
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| THE TARTAN PRIDE Highland Dance Team, under the direction of Joan Murray, took to the stage with their polished presentation of Highland dancing along with some pipers. |
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To contact the following Celtic groups: Lorraine Grescoe of the Fraser River Fiddlers, call (604) 277-3030, or e-mail: lgg@look.ca; Fiddler Doug Medley, call 1-800-668-1158, or e-mail: doug@musicmedley.net ; Moore School of Irish Dancers, call (604) 522-0445; Joan Murray of Tartan Pride Highland Dance Team and Scottish Pipers, call (604) 576-1619; John O’Flynn of the Irish Sporting and Social Club, call (604) 803-7232 or e-mail: joflynn@mulgrave.com; Caroline Rogers of the Rogers School of Irish Dance, call (604) 521-7428, e-mail: rogersirishdance@yahoo.ca; Leslie Wilson of the Scoil Rince De Danaan Irish Dancers, call (778) 288-5695, or visit: www.dedanaan.ca.
For more information on the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Gardens, visit: www.vancouverchinesegarden.com.
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