New Democrats mark Lunar New Year and launch poster
Vancouver- New Democrat Leader Adrian Dix joined MLAs Jenny Kwan, Shane Simpson, Bruce Ralston, Raj Chouhan and Spencer Chandra Herbert to celebrate the coming Lunar New Year.
At a press conference in Vancouver’s Chinatown on January 17, they brought greetings for the 2012 Year of the Dragon and unveiled the annual New Democrat poster. MLAs, local merchants and community representatives enjoyed Dim Sum and a performance by a lion dance team.
“Lunar New Year is an important festival in B.C. for the larger community as well as the Chinese and Asian communities. I love the energy of this celebration that marks end of the winter and the coming spring season,” said Dix, who was born the Year of the Dragon.
The Dragon is a revered symbol. The Chinese associate the dragon with power and wisdom, and the Year of the Dragon is associated with innovation, vitality and bravery.
Kwan said that the culture of Lunar New Year is similar to Thanksgiving or Christmas celebrations in the West. “It is the biggest celebration in the Chinese and Asian communities. Families get together and enjoy wonderful banquets. We give red envelopes to bring in the New Year and to wish each other good health, prosperity and good luck.”
Adrian Dix and New Democrat MLAs expressed their appreciation for the contributions from the many communities who celebrate Lunar New Year, thanking them for making B.C. and Canada rich and diverse multicultural communities.
MLAs throughout B.C. will be participating in Year of the Dragon events over the coming weeks, including the popular annual Chinese New Year Parade in Vancouver on January 29.
