A global icon through his many unforgettable performances in Hong Kong cinema, Tony Leung stars as Wenwu in Marvel’s Shang-Chi. Are you excited to watch his first Hollywood production? We are! Read on to reminisce the work of this highly acclaimed and decorated superstar, as well as our discussion on why his appearance in Shang-Chi holds utmost significance for so many Chinese-Canadians and North American diasporas. Two Canadians also had the privilege of acting opposite this industry giant — who were they?

It is the week of Marvel’s Shang-Chi! In theatres September 3rd. Be sure to book your tickets to support this milestone moment of representation in movie culture. Read about why our editor-in-chief, Deborah Lau-Yu, is particularly excited for and proud of fellow Canadian, Simu Liu, our country’s newly minted superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We appreciate his journey, his voice and his leadership as a cultural advocate.

In most news reports, we hear the ICU’s mentioned and used as a focal point in the coverage of the pandemic, and some mention of emergency rooms. But one department, a key player and stakeholder in pandemic management, has been left out of the spotlight. We invited General Internal Medicine doctor, Dr. Jessica Liu, to give us an inside view on her role and her hospital’s role in crisis management this past year, and a glimpse of what she sees as an Asian-Canadian on the frontlines.

Canada celebrated its annual most fashionable night in, at the first virtual production of the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards gala on May 19th. Nominees, Honourees, Sponsors, and Guests all tuned in from home, work, or the backyard, to toast some of the nation’s most talented creators in the fashion industry. Several Asian artists and creatives were nominated and in some cases, took home the trophy! Because it’s Asian Heritage Month, it is even more important to highlight some of these individuals and their achievements.

Vincent’s name and story is one that isn’t told enough: a young Chinese man beaten to death in Detroit due to anti-Japanese sentiment in 1982, just days before his wedding. The killers apparently assumed Chin was of Japanese descent and are alleged to have used racial slurs as they attacked, as the Japanese were blamed for taking up jobs in the automotive sector at the time. He was chased down and beaten to death by Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz, both who were never brought to justice for this cruel and racially-driven murder. They never spent a single day in jail. His murder and the outrage became a pivotal moment in the Asian American Movement.

Outrage and disappointment that at this point in our history in North America, this is happening, and sadness for our elder generation that has already gone through so much more racial discrimination in their lifetimes, while trying to pave a better life for us. The central tenet of my grandparents’ and parents’ generation of immigrant Chinese was to provide for family, often making clear personal and material sacrifices with complete dedication to provide for the next generation. They deserve better, and outrage is simply not enough. What can we do that is actionable and that will make a difference long-term?

I think at some point, every 2nd Generation immigrant is questioned about their identity. No better example comes from the cliché, “Where do you come from?”. We are asked this from childhood and are often confused by the follow-up question, “No, where are you REALLY from?”. As we grew older, it became a complex emotional response that I, at least, almost never vocalized. This year, by some unintentional force of nature, is our moment where we embrace who we are.

This week, the Asian community in North America is in shock, as the heightened xenophobic hate crimes driven by racism and hatred has torn into our hearts. The damage these acts cause is immeasurable. Racism against any group hurts the community, causing wounds and trauma that impact the entire generation and the next. We all need to stand up, speak up, get involved, and represent our culture such that it is strengthened by our individual voices and actions.

We are so honoured to be recently awarded "Best Cultural Event" by the authority on events in North America, BizBash! This is the 2nd Bizbash Event Style Award for Fête Chinoise, and the 6th time we have been nominated as a finalist in our categories. Our 2020 gala, Dreams Take Flight, was widely covered across different Canadian media outlets. We'll see you all at our signature event in 2022!

Every new red pocket is an opportunity to push the cultural narrative forward, but what often happens, is that it can quickly become a missed opportunity or even reverse the momentum. There are times when we are pleasantly surprised, when a design that raises the bar is released and inspires the world. Read on to see what luxury brands designed for their red pockets in 2021!

Last but not least, here are the predictions for those born in the year of the Pig, Dog, and Rooster! 你是出生於豬年、狗年、雞年？今天我們細談你們的生肖年運。連同前三天的刊文，十二生肖年運全套已經為大家揭曉。

It is not very often that a local artist is exhibited at the Art Gallery of Ontario, and even more rare that Asian-Canadian representation happens in the art space at this level of recognition. The AGO is presenting an exciting solo exhibition beginning August 13, 2021 to April 18, 2022 titled Matthew Wong: Blue View, featuring works by a Toronto-born Chinese Canadian artist. The first-ever museum show of Matthew Wong (1984-2019), the exhibition features his acclaimed Blue series of oil, gouache and watercolour paintings. The New York Times described him as “one of the most talented painters of his generation.” The exhibition features Wong’s expressive style through 31 paintings and nine works on paper from his Blue series (2017-2019).

Visual artist Brendan Lee Satish Tang is widely known for his sculptural ceramic work. Tang’s work explores issues of identity and the hybridization of our material and non-material culture while simultaneously expressing a love of both futuristic technologies and ancient traditions. He discovered a passion for art and all of the doors it can open when he was a small child. Growing up in small-town Canada, his family were the only “people of colour” in town. Drawing allowed him to escape into a world of fantasy and it became a powerful form of communication. Art gave him a meeting ground to connect with the other kids at school. universe.

To celebrate Qixi Festival (the original Chinese Valentine’s Day) for 2021, Gucci has launched a unique collection named Gucci Les Pommes. We were inspired by the campaign art direction and imagery and are delighted to share and discuss all the details in their storytelling. Photographed by the incredible Leslie Zhang and directed by Zhuzi, the special dedicated campaign, named ‘How We Met’ features a group of characters including singer—member of WayV and SuperM—Lucas and supermodel Xiaowen Ju in Shanghai. The story centers around the gradual coming together of girls and boys in the iconic Chinese city.

Lawyer and Model Yinsey Wang interviewed her good friend, Berlin-based Chinese filmmaker, writer, lecturer and artist Xiaowen Zhu on her journey of creation. In this article, Yinsey captured Xiaowen’s reflections on her work, both new and old, with renewed interest and hindsight. Xiaowen, like her art, is never still and always finding new, unchartered territory. Having lived in many different places in the world, including Shanghai, Frankfurt, Upstate New York, Los Angeles and London, she has a rich collection of experiences to draw from. To Xiaowen, art represents self-expression, finding her purpose in the world, challenging presumptions of what is and what should be, and most importantly, redefining what could be.

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is proud to hold the largest and most significant collection of Chinese historical art in North America. This extraordinary collection comprises more than 41,000 pieces, many of which are objects of significant importance, rarity and value. Fête Chinoise shares with you some of our favourites in this article.

Which of the many colours best represents Chinese culture? Readers might say, the answer is obvious: Red! Indeed, the ancient Chinese people also appreciated colours other than red: colours such as purple. In this article, our contributor, Christina Han, shared the cultural history of purple in China. “From a much stigmatized colour, to technological wonder, a manifestation of Daoist spirituality, and finally a symbol of imperial authority, the colour purple evolved through China’s long history and eventually became an important part of Chinese visual culture. The story of purple reminds us of the rich diversity within Chinese culture that often gets overshadowed by simplified and exoticized representations of China inspired by popular consumerism and Orientalism. So next time you celebrate the Spring Festival, add a bit of purple in the sea of red and gold, and welcome the purple air coming from the east!”

Yang Yongliang, a contemporary artist from China, reimagines traditional Chinese landscape art with digital techniques to create dreamy techno visions of man in nature. His work employs contemporary images of cities and cars, which he alters and adjusts to fit within these classically composed and serene landscapes, maintaining a foggy black-and-white aesthetic. “Journey to the Dark II” is his first multi-channel 4K video.

For a world that values culture and tradition far less than materialism and other commodities, one designer has managed to set a foundation for his company by capturing the charming vernacular and local spirit of his city, Hong Kong. Douglas Young, a local celebrity who has appeared on one of Anthony Bourdain’s last episodes of Parts Unknown and lectured at universities in Singapore about his passion for culture, is making a difference in helping this generation remember the unique culture of Hong Kong’s ever-changing identity. Douglas co-founded G.O.D. with Benjamin Lau in 1996, fulfilling a long-term vision to build a Hong Kong brand that is both forward-looking and proud of its cultural origins. G.O.D. retails contemporary furniture, homeware and lifestyle accessories with a contemporary Chinese twist, designed in-house by a multidisciplinary design team led by Douglas.

The appearance of the qipao is the origin of modern Chinese fashion. Women adorned in high-collared and fitted qipao dresses were seen as embodying “oriental” beauty. A hundred years later, the qipao has weathered the storm of the many historical changes in China and established an irreplaceable position in modern Chinese culture. This charming dress form has become part of mainstream fashion around the world.

Cultures collide: where art meets game culture and tells a story that doesn't often get heard in Asian cultures. Just in time for Pride Month, read more on what Jasmine Chen, an Asian Canadian leader in theatre, thought about “A Summer’s End - Hong Kong 1986.” It is a breathtaking emotional narrative captured in a visual novel, created by Asian-Canadian game developers Charissa So and Tida Kietsungden. They are the hearts and minds behind Oracle & Bone, an independent game studio in Vancouver. ?
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The story follows Michelle, a buttoned up office worker living in Hong Kong during the heydays of the 1980s. She meets Sam, a free-spirited woman and unconventional entrepreneur, by chance after an incident involving a broken heel. They share a mutual attraction, and the story takes off with emotion and addresses issues of identity not often forged in Chinese culture.?

Who else is celebrating their first Father’s Day? Canadian singer songwriter Tyler Shaw has been producing music and sharing his thoughts from home throughout the pandemic. He also welcomed his baby daughter into the world, who pops up in his feed regularly! Happy first Father’s Day, Tyler! Last year, we had a chance to spend some time with Tyler (at the lovely Hazelton Hotel Toronto) to learn about his journey of music, his relationship with Chinese heritage, also his ArtistsCan project initiated with fellow Canadian artist, Fefe Dobson.

In Hong Kong resides a traditional artisan of embroidered button fasteners for cheongsams (qipaos) and other garments. Master Po Ming-Wah is one of the few artisans of this craft still practicing in Hong Kong today, however, this art is becoming extinct. Fête Chinoise had an opportunity to sit down with Master Po and presidents of Cheongsam Connect, Anita Tsang and Donna Cheung in Hong Kong to better understand the history and current challenges of the practice. Each of Master Po’s intricate knots have auspicious names, an intentional meaning, and a corresponding design.

A global icon through his many unforgettable performances in Hong Kong cinema, Tony Leung stars as Wenwu in Marvel’s Shang-Chi. Are you excited to watch his first Hollywood production? We are! Read on to reminisce the work of this highly acclaimed and decorated superstar, as well as our discussion on why his appearance in Shang-Chi holds utmost significance for so many Chinese-Canadians and North American diasporas. Two Canadians also had the privilege of acting opposite this industry giant — who were they?

It is the week of Marvel’s Shang-Chi! In theatres September 3rd. Be sure to book your tickets to support this milestone moment of representation in movie culture. Read about why our editor-in-chief, Deborah Lau-Yu, is particularly excited for and proud of fellow Canadian, Simu Liu, our country’s newly minted superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We appreciate his journey, his voice and his leadership as a cultural advocate.

A pandemic won't stop us from enjoying cinema! The Fantasia Film Festival is here. In an effort to introduce Hong Kong films to the Canadian community, the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office has been partnering with numerous film festivals across the country. The Fantasia International Film Festival 2021 will take place from August 5 to 25th, both virtually and in-person — a hybrid model so that more audiences can view some great action on screens at home and in theatre.

Producing a television series through a pandemic year might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the crew behind Blood and Water’s Season 3: Fire & Ice. Storytelling is a fine art with a rigorous process, no matter in which field the work is being done. If you can imagine for a moment how long it takes you to perfect that one photo to post on Instagram or Facebook, or to film yourself over and over before you like a take for TikTok or Instagram Live, you might be able to put yourself into a frame of mind to imagine the number of moving parts in the footage of producing hours and hours of content for television. The infinite details in one scene, especially filmed inside a casino, layered with the complication of breaking up filming between lockdowns yields a complex process of combing through fine visual details to present a professionally produced story.

Just in time to fill the void left by the abrupt end of one show with a mostly Asian cast from another network, Rogers announced the third season of Blood and Water yesterday, the only trilingual Canadian production in English, Cantonese and Mandarin that is produced in Canada. It is also a labour of love, having been brought to life during the pandemic, with the on and off shutdowns that made for an exhausting and extended filming process. After over a year in the making during the emergency lockdown in Toronto, it is finally airing June 13th on OMNI Television on Sunday evenings.

Blood and Water: Fire + Ice is an 8-episode 30 minute crime series uniquely featuring three languages, English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, with an all Asian main cast. Produced in Canada, Blood and Water: Fire+Ice is tailored to resonate with a multi-cultural audience, while keeping the authenticity of Chinese culture in the West (North America). Starring award winning Canadian actress and Fête Chinoise-loved Selena Lee, and many Chinese Canadian talents.

Acting in a movie — that was the dream. In particular, to be able to act in a Chinese film. Being Canadian-born with Chinese ethnicity, that was what I dreamed about as a kid. I wanted to be in the movies that my immigrant parents loved to watch, the ones they made me watch while growing up in Calgary. It was a family weekend ritual that my parents could enjoy to remind them of a home that they missed and that I never really knew. My parents were from Hong Kong and Guangzhou, and decided to move to Canada in hopes my sister and I would be able to go to university here. To be in a movie with actors in those very films we watched at home is still surreal and is something I'm very grateful for.

Vincent’s name and story is one that isn’t told enough: a young Chinese man beaten to death in Detroit due to anti-Japanese sentiment in 1982, just days before his wedding. The killers apparently assumed Chin was of Japanese descent and are alleged to have used racial slurs as they attacked, as the Japanese were blamed for taking up jobs in the automotive sector at the time. He was chased down and beaten to death by Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz, both who were never brought to justice for this cruel and racially-driven murder. They never spent a single day in jail. His murder and the outrage became a pivotal moment in the Asian American Movement.

In honour of Asian Heritage Month in May, TIFF will be highlighting excellence in Asian cinema. The month-long programme, Asia Unbound, focuses on youthful narratives that transcend borders, generations, memories, and identities. Films and digital events throughout the month feature well-known talent from the diaspora, emerging artists, and also renowned auteurs from the Asian continent. Through storytelling that is authentic, touching, humorous, and powerful, Asia Unbound intends to explore — and find inspiration in — the joys, fears, vulnerability, and in-betweenness that underscore Asian identity in today’s world.

In almost a full year devoid of going to the cinema and in times when we feel disconnected with the outside world, Carson Chow has been thinking about Wong Kar-wai’s films more than ever. Here is his pick for Wong Kar-wai’s 3 most essential films on language and (mis)communication. These three films depict the modern issue of lack of human connection and communication, it reaches through generations and histories and across harbours and cinematic traditions to better elucidate the here and especially the now. In times like now, there’s nothing that makes more sense than to watch or think about Wong Kar-wai’s films.

Anna May Wong was born in Los Angeles in 1905 to second-generation immigrants and has quite an inspirational story. May found herself excluded from Chinese theatre, given her "Americanness" and similarly, Americans found her too Chinese for specific roles. May was no stranger to that universal feeling that many diasporas must confront – being stuck between multiple identities. Yinsey Wang explores her legacy through her primary art medium, self-portraiture photography, to feel connected with the diaspora experience in this unique way.

Bling Empire is perfect for those looking for escapist entertainment. The show turned up the drama by cuing the cattiest rivalries, hookups and throwdowns. But is it really the Asian narrative that we want in North America? Amidst the hate crime, anti-Asian racism and xenophobia propelled by Covid-19, was the timing right? What is the purpose of the show? Read here for our thoughts!

Fête Chinoise has selected our top pick from the short films screening at the Reel Asian International Film Festival 2020. Read on to find out more from the director of this touching short film!

Which of the many colours best represents Chinese culture? Readers might say, the answer is obvious: Red! Indeed, the ancient Chinese people also appreciated colours other than red: colours such as purple. In this article, our contributor, Christina Han, shared the cultural history of purple in China. “From a much stigmatized colour, to technological wonder, a manifestation of Daoist spirituality, and finally a symbol of imperial authority, the colour purple evolved through China’s long history and eventually became an important part of Chinese visual culture. The story of purple reminds us of the rich diversity within Chinese culture that often gets overshadowed by simplified and exoticized representations of China inspired by popular consumerism and Orientalism. So next time you celebrate the Spring Festival, add a bit of purple in the sea of red and gold, and welcome the purple air coming from the east!”

For a world that values culture and tradition far less than materialism and other commodities, one designer has managed to set a foundation for his company by capturing the charming vernacular and local spirit of his city, Hong Kong. Douglas Young, a local celebrity who has appeared on one of Anthony Bourdain’s last episodes of Parts Unknown and lectured at universities in Singapore about his passion for culture, is making a difference in helping this generation remember the unique culture of Hong Kong’s ever-changing identity. Douglas co-founded G.O.D. with Benjamin Lau in 1996, fulfilling a long-term vision to build a Hong Kong brand that is both forward-looking and proud of its cultural origins. G.O.D. retails contemporary furniture, homeware and lifestyle accessories with a contemporary Chinese twist, designed in-house by a multidisciplinary design team led by Douglas.

Silence and refuge in a world of hustle and bustle is hard to find. Our editorial team had the pleasure of visiting @tszshanmonastery , where we experienced the most breathtaking views and Chinese architecture in a serene setting. Located on the green slopes of Mt. Pat Sin Leng in Hong Kong, Tsz Shan sits majestically on the hillside above the waters of Plover Cove, surrounded by lushly-forested hills away from the global city’s dense core. Its tranquillity is foreign — unfamiliar to the intensity of Hong Kong’s pace, and a serene reminder to calm the heart. Visit our website to read more details on this incredible place that is a must visit once we can travel again! ?

Even though this year we aren’t able to see the annual Dragon Boat races in Toronto, we look forward to it activities in the Fall of 2021 and the return of the Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival in 2022! Learn more about this tradition and our Canadian national team members who shared their story with us in Edition 3, Luck & Ritual. We have utmost respect for these highly experienced and decorated athletes in our community.

Food brings back fond cultural memories for all of us, no matter what age we are living in! Renowned culinary instructor Ann shares with us a childhood favourite of hers — rice dumplings (in Taiwanese style). Not only delicious, this traditional staple is also simple to make. This recipe is from history that dates back centuries ago, and is now rooted in our modern culture through the home kitchens of millions around the world.
暖心的食物是記載歷史的秘訣。知名烹飪老師Ann 與我們分享她與丈夫兒時最愛的台灣棕子食譜，不僅易做，還帶回了美好的回憶。

Join Billy as he cooks with his Po Po (Grandma) and shares their family recipes and personal stories of culture, this time, let’s sample their special braised pork belly!

I think at some point, every 2nd Generation immigrant is questioned about their identity. No better example comes from the cliché, “Where do you come from?”. We are asked this from childhood and are often confused by the follow-up question, “No, where are you REALLY from?”. As we grew older, it became a complex emotional response that I, at least, almost never vocalized. This year, by some unintentional force of nature, is our moment where we embrace who we are.

Bonnie Chan entered Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant and won first runner-up. She later moved to Hong Kong and competed in the Miss Hong Kong, winning second runner-up in 2016. Soon after earning her title, she became a television host in the fast-paced television industry. With everything that is happening today, she created a platform, MindBonnieSoul, to spread encouragement and support for others to be well, especially during these challenging times. We have invited her to share her expert tips on health and wellness for readers to pursue a healthier lifestyle.

Our Canadian winters are quite harsh and dry, which is hard on anyone’s skin, especially for those with eczema. To combat this, Billy Cheung shares a “beauty soup” recipe that applies some inherited knowledge of Chinese medicine and holistic wellness. There are many variations of this beauty soup, but all recipes typically include ingredients used in Traditional Chinese Medicine due to their detoxifying and immune-boosting effects.

Since the day Chef Eric Chong won the first season of MasterChef Canada's (MCC), he has been fortunate to have been trained and mentored by MCC Judge & Chef Alvin Leung. Followed by becoming the co-owner and chef of the Canadian Asian restaurant, R&D, in the heart of Chinatown Toronto. However, with every fortune, there are countless challenges. Read how Chef Chong views every challenge as a new opportunity. As well, you will soon discover how his back story was slightly different than what the media portrayed.

Culinary Consultant & Expert, Susan Ng, excudes the beloved quote by Picasso that the “meaning of life is to find your gift. [And] the purpose of life is to give it away." An overarching theme of gifting during the Lunar New Year. She shares with us her diverse culinary journey and the recipe for the perfect combination of crunch and savoury goodness – the Golden Beef Stir-Fry with the Lucky Trio full of luck for The Year of the Golden Ox!

Every year families celebrate the Lunar New Year, with an incredible feast. For some, new traditions emerge with different menus but the spirit was remains the same. Family. Heritage. Home. Here is a Char Siu Recipe written and photographed by the talented, Tim Chin. It's not quite like his mother's recipe but more like an echo of it - a somewhat subordinate, somewhat inferior, imitation version (it’s still pretty good though, just ask his mom).

Writer Julie Phan shared her journey in navigating spaces as an Asian person, as a Chinese-Vietnamese-Canadian. She often confronted with the classic question of “what are you, where are you from?” and she finds herself hesitating to answer because there is no concise answer.

Hanjin Tan is a celebrity singer-songwriter-producer-actor who is making a difference in the music scene in Asia and for his fanbase around the world. With a unique Hainanese background, he speaks fluently in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Japanese, which is reflected in his diverse use of language when he sings and produces music.

陳奐仁，唱作藝人，最佳歌手、最佳作曲作詞人、最佳年度製作人，獲獎無數，正在為他的歌迷和亞洲音樂製造一番新景象。

Lawyer and Model Yinsey Wang interviewed her good friend, Berlin-based Chinese filmmaker, writer, lecturer and artist Xiaowen Zhu on her journey of creation. In this article, Yinsey captured Xiaowen’s reflections on her work, both new and old, with renewed interest and hindsight. Xiaowen, like her art, is never still and always finding new, unchartered territory. Having lived in many different places in the world, including Shanghai, Frankfurt, Upstate New York, Los Angeles and London, she has a rich collection of experiences to draw from. To Xiaowen, art represents self-expression, finding her purpose in the world, challenging presumptions of what is and what should be, and most importantly, redefining what could be.

For a world that values culture and tradition far less than materialism and other commodities, one designer has managed to set a foundation for his company by capturing the charming vernacular and local spirit of his city, Hong Kong. Douglas Young, a local celebrity who has appeared on one of Anthony Bourdain’s last episodes of Parts Unknown and lectured at universities in Singapore about his passion for culture, is making a difference in helping this generation remember the unique culture of Hong Kong’s ever-changing identity. Douglas co-founded G.O.D. with Benjamin Lau in 1996, fulfilling a long-term vision to build a Hong Kong brand that is both forward-looking and proud of its cultural origins. G.O.D. retails contemporary furniture, homeware and lifestyle accessories with a contemporary Chinese twist, designed in-house by a multidisciplinary design team led by Douglas.

Who else is celebrating their first Father’s Day? Canadian singer songwriter Tyler Shaw has been producing music and sharing his thoughts from home throughout the pandemic. He also welcomed his baby daughter into the world, who pops up in his feed regularly! Happy first Father’s Day, Tyler! Last year, we had a chance to spend some time with Tyler (at the lovely Hazelton Hotel Toronto) to learn about his journey of music, his relationship with Chinese heritage, also his ArtistsCan project initiated with fellow Canadian artist, Fefe Dobson.

Acting in a movie — that was the dream. In particular, to be able to act in a Chinese film. Being Canadian-born with Chinese ethnicity, that was what I dreamed about as a kid. I wanted to be in the movies that my immigrant parents loved to watch, the ones they made me watch while growing up in Calgary. It was a family weekend ritual that my parents could enjoy to remind them of a home that they missed and that I never really knew. My parents were from Hong Kong and Guangzhou, and decided to move to Canada in hopes my sister and I would be able to go to university here. To be in a movie with actors in those very films we watched at home is still surreal and is something I'm very grateful for.

We sat down with Hong Kong-born and Vancouver-raised actress, entrepreneur and stylish mom, Grace Chan, to learn more about how this turbulent year has led her to reflect on time as a young mother of two. Grace and celebrity husband Kevin Cheng gave birth to a second son during the pandemic in 2020. Read here for Grace Chan's personal story of learning her new identity as a mother.

Chinatowns across North America are fighting for their survival. Long before the pandemic hit, Vancouver’s Chinatown was desperately trying to stave off gentrification. It seemed like there was no end to the condo developments and hipster bars that were slowly pushing longtime residents out, and erasing the rich cultural history of the area. When singer songwriters Robyn Jacob and Nancy Tam created Double Happiness: Detour This Way, a live music and theatre show that retraces the legacy of the Chinese diaspora in Vancouver, it only made sense to premiere it in the heart of Chinatown. But too quickly, the pandemic ordered the show to close early, and along with it, all of Chinatown’s businesses. It was a devastating blow.

I think at some point, every 2nd Generation immigrant is questioned about their identity. No better example comes from the cliché, “Where do you come from?”. We are asked this from childhood and are often confused by the follow-up question, “No, where are you REALLY from?”. As we grew older, it became a complex emotional response that I, at least, almost never vocalized. This year, by some unintentional force of nature, is our moment where we embrace who we are.

Bonnie Chan entered Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant and won first runner-up. She later moved to Hong Kong and competed in the Miss Hong Kong, winning second runner-up in 2016. Soon after earning her title, she became a television host in the fast-paced television industry. With everything that is happening today, she created a platform, MindBonnieSoul, to spread encouragement and support for others to be well, especially during these challenging times. We have invited her to share her expert tips on health and wellness for readers to pursue a healthier lifestyle.

In this pivotal moment for change in the North American Asian community, it is a children's picture book written by Joanna Ho, Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, that has been an exceptional source for hope and positivity for readers of all ages. After reading the book meant for children, an Asian adult might share the collective revelation that the lack of self-love and quiet self-doubt linked to our physical features has been the result of racism. But these features should be recast as precious traits our ancestors gifted us, not to be ashamed of, and something to be proud of and to embrace like the little girl in the book.

It is often said that gifting red pockets will bring luck to those receiving and to those giving. Have you ever felt that red pockets brought you extra luck? Read here to learn how Queen Jubilee recipient Justin Poy views fortune and luck.