Chinese Community Celebrates New Year

VICTORIA - From Red lanterns to window decorations, the symbolic signs welcoming the new lunar year are everywhere in Chinatown. Children from Brentwood Elementary School toured Canada's oldest Chinatown today to learn more about Chinese culture.

2011 is the year of the rabbit which is supposed to be a more placid time, and a welcome change after the ferocious year of the tiger. For the past month students at the Chinese Public School have been learning traditional dances, in time for New Year. Sunday at noon they'll perform the lion dance beneath the gates of harmonious interest.

For the next two weeks, traditional celebrations will centre around family and feasting. You'll find special menus at many restaurants in Chinatown, and every food has symbolic meaning. But Chinese New Year is about more than just tradition and celebration. It's about reflection, and an opportunity to honour the contributions made by Chinese Canadians in our community.

In a tribute to the Chinese community in the capital, the Victoria Foundation announced today that it will provide more than 20-thousand dollars in funding to support Chinese history, language, health care and arts in Victoria.

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• Victoria
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• Astrid Braunschmidt