Updated May 15, 2023
May is Asian Heritage Month, which offers an excellent opportunity to learn about Asian cultures and celebrate the many contributions and achievements of Canadians of Asian heritage.
“Richmond has one of the largest Asian populations in Canada,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “The diversity of history, philosophies, religion and cultural aspects helped shape Richmond’s past and will forge our future. I encourage you to take this month to learn something new at one of our many programs and exhibitions.”
A summary of the programs and exhibitions offered include:
Richmond City Hall
Exhibition: Nikkei contributions to Steveston at City Hall. During the month of May, drop by Richmond City Hall to see the Japanese Cultural Centre’s visual timeline of Nikkei culture in Steveston.
Richmond Museum
Video: Tradition of Boat Building. Launching Monday, May 15, this six minute video is about the historic Japanese-Canadian boat works. It tells the story of how many of B.C.’s finest fishing boats were built in Nikkei-run boat yards starting in the 1880s. For the next sixty years, these craftsmen built the fishing boats that fed more than 150 canneries on the West Coast, including those in Richmond. The Tradition of Boat Building video will be available to view online at www.richmondmuseum.ca and at the Richmond Museum.
The Nikkei people are Japanese emigrants and their descendants who have created communities throughout the world.
Richmond Art Gallery
For more information on the following, visit www.richmondartgallery.org or call 604-247-8363.
Exhibition: Amy Ching-Yan Lam with HaeAhn Woo Kwon – a small but comfy house and maybe a dog. From April 22 - June 11, 2023 visit the gallery to see Lam’s presentation of artworks that explore how childhood dreams function within the wider context of colonial history. The exhibition includes a selection of pieces from Richmond Public Library’s Dr. Lee Chinese art and rare book collection. Throughout May the Gallery is hosting a variety of tours, talks and programs in response to Amy Lam’s exhibition.
Exhibition Tour in Mandarin
Free drop-in tour in Mandarin hosted Saturday, May 6 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm.
Exhibition: Giant Dumpling Sealed Secrets Keeper.
This is an installation art piece of a "giant" dumpling set upon a table. As people pass by, they'll notice a small slot opening in an otherwise tightly sealed ‘package’. Read about the significance of dumplings and the colour red in Chinese culture. The dumpling will be in ‘residence’, collecting anonymous offerings in various spaces across the region until the end of August, and then ‘released’ through a ceremonial fire during Light Up Chinatown in September.
Talkback Tours
On Saturday, May 13, 2023, 3 to 4 p.m., join Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee, CEO Chinese Canadian Museum, and on Thursday, May 18, 2023, 6 to 7pm join Diana Lary, UBC Professor Emeritus in Chinese History.
Online Talk:
Dr. Sarah Cheang speaks with Amy Lam on Pekingese Dogs
Join this live, online free presentation on the colonial history of Pekingese Dogs on Saturday, May 27, 2023, noon to 1 p.m.
Friends of the Richmond Archives
Blog: Ling Lam was one of Richmond’s early Chinese immigrants whose business drive helped build what is now Steveston. Read more about Ling and his once-iconic Wong Ho General Store which sold vital provisions to fishermen, canneries, boat builders, farmers and the public.
At the Richmond Public Library
For more information and to register for the following programs, visit www.yourlibrary.ca or call the Brighouse Library at 604-231-6413.
Film club viewing of Everything Everywhere All at Once (presented in English)
Join a free screening of the movie Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022). Rated PG, this movie is suitable for adults and registration is required. The screening takes place Tuesday, May 2 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Brighouse Library – Community Place.
Film club viewing of Decision to Leave (Korean with English subtitles)
Join a free screening of Decision to Leave (2022), a romantic mystery. Rated PG, this movie is suitable for adults and registration is required. The screening takes place Tuesday, May 16 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Brighouse Library – Community Place.
Chinese Book Club (presented in Mandarin)
Join an in-person conversation in Mandarin facilitated by a librarian about the book Qiang Shang De Fu Qin by Lu, Min. Once registered, visit the Brighouse (Main) Branch, 2nd floor Information desk to pick up a book club copy. It is in Simplified Chinese. This is suitable for adults and registration is required. The conversation takes place Wednesday, May 3 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Brighouse Library - 2nd Floor.
Chinese Couplets Study Club (presented in Cantonese and Mandarin).
Learn about Chinese couplets (a poetic form), its history and share your work with other club members. Discussions are conducted in Cantonese and Mandarin and there is no charge. This is suitable for adults and registration is required. The programs take place every third Wednesday of each month (May 17) from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Brighouse Library - 2nd Floor.
The History of Chinese Calligraphy (presented in Cantonese).
This series of three talks about Chinese calligraphy covers the history and development of seven different scripts: oracle bone, bronze inscription, seal script, official script, cursive script, regular script and flowing script. This is suitable for adults and registration is required. The next session takes place Monday, May 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Brighouse Library - 2nd Floor Program Room.
The Mystery of Chinese Characters (presented in Mandarin)
The series of lectures will introduce the basic knowledge of Chinese character philology, the historical development of Chinese characters and the cultural essence contained in Chinese characters. This is suitable for seniors, adults and teens. It takes place on three Sundays, May 07, May 21, May 28, 2023 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Children’s Programs (presented in English)
Family and Teddybear Storytimes will feature stories by Asian authors read in English by librarians. Programs take place each day from Sunday, May 14 to Sunday, May 20 at various times and various library locations and are drop-in. They are appropriate for children, preschoolers accompanied by their guardians/families.