Welcoming the Year of the Rat
In the year 2020, the first day of the Lunar New Year will fall on January 25, 2020. To highlight the fifteen-day celebrations and in welcoming the Year of the Rat, Toronto Chinatown BIA is proud to spearhead the celebrations on the weekend of January 25 – 26, 2020 starting at 12:00 PM with a formal opening ceremony at the iconic Dragon City Mall, located at 280 Spadina Avenue, Toronto followed by a magnificent fifteen-day Lantern Exhibition by STEPS Initiative, and a lineup of interactive games, surprises and stunning traditional Chinese performances to showcase the rich heritage of Asian traditions during the 2020 Lunar New Year Celebrations.
As per traditions, the Lantern Festival will come to mark the last day of the fifteen-day Lunar New Year celebrations where families come together and light up different colours and shapes of lanterns. Lanterns are iconic and have transcended time through generations in Asian culture. During the fifteen-day celebrations, temporary installations of lanterns in different shapes and colours will illuminate the venue.
“Come to Chinatown to kick start the Year of the Rat! May you all live as prosper as a centenarian”, said Tonny Louie, Chair of Chinatown BIA.
As a nonprofit, public art organization with a mandate to engage community, promote emerging artists and activate public space, The STEPS Initiative presents Yue Moon; a Lunar New Year Lantern Installation with Lead Artist PUFF Paddy. In Yue Moon, PUFF Paddy has created a truly intergenerational community art project, facilitating four, free lantern making workshops within Chinatown from January 11-21, 2020. “In each of our programs, STEPS sees first hand how accessible public art programming can foster relationships, cultivate new skills and create vibrant spaces that reflect local culture and community,” says Bebhinn Jennings Program Manager with The STEPS Initiative. “Under the artistic direction of PUFF Paddy and in partnership with the Chinatown BIA and OCADU, we have seen participants as young as 2 years old create a lantern that will be shared with the community, – it’s magical.”
For more information about the two-day event, please click here.