ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH

EVENTS SCHEDULE

MAY 2004

 

This is the fifth year that Halifax joins other cities in Canada and the United States in celebrating Asian Heritage Month.   In sharing their heritage and culture with other Nova Scotians the Asian Canadians hope to promote better understanding and appreciation of the Asian Canadian community.

 

Official Opening Ceremony

Saturday May 1st 2pm

Theatre Auditorium, Saint Mary’s University, McNally Building, 923 Robie Street, Halifax, NS

 

Proclamation of Asian Heritage Month by Mayor Peter J. Kelly, Halifax Regional Municipality.   Cultural performances and displays by members of some Asian organizations.

 

The Art of Drinking Chinese Tea    

Thursday May 6th 2pm

Keshen Goodman Library *

 

Presenter:      Yu Ming Ye – Doctor of Chinese Medicine

 

From creating the perfect aroma to conversation over tea, this is a fascinating ritual.

 

Korean Drumming and Martial Arts

Friday May 7th 12 noon

Spring Garden Road Library **

 

Presenters:    Korean Association of Nova Scotia members and Dalhousie University Korean students

 

Samulnori is a traditional form of Korean drumming performed by 4 players.

Taekkyun is traditional Korean martial arts recognized as the 76th Korean

cultural asset.

 

 

 

Lunar New Year Stamps

Monday May 10th 7pm

Keshen Goodman Library *

 

Presenter:      Jim Phillips, Director of Philatelic Products, Canada Post

 

Since 1997 Canada Post has released a domestic and an international New Year stamp each year featuring the animal of that year based on Asian mythology. Discover the beauty of these stamps and the myth behind the lunar year.

 

Book Club Discussion - Anil’s Ghost by Michael Ondaatje

Tuesday May 11th 7pm

Tantallon Library, Hubley Centre, 4 Westwood Boulevard, Upper Tantallon, NS

 

Forensic Anthropologist Anil Tisscra’s account of human remains in Sri Lanka

during a bloody civil war in the 1980s and 1990s

 

Registration required – call 826-3330

 

Calligraphy

Wednesday May 12th 10am

Halifax North Library, 2285 Gottingen Street, Halifax, NS

 

Presenter:      Dr. Keh-Gong Shih

 

Dr. Shih will speak of the evolution of Chinese writing and demonstrate the art of Chinese Calligraphy, which is far more than mere expressive handwriting. Calligraphy is an art form that has been practised for centuries, and is regarded as one of the highest and purest forms of Chinese art.

 

Book Club Discussion - Family Matters by Rohinton Mistry

Wednesday May 12th 7pm

Spring Garden Road Library **

 

Set in crumbling 1990s Bombay, Family Matters gently explores the strains of family interactions, both past and present.

 

            Please call 490-5700 to register

 

 

 

A Forgotten Chapter in the Age of Exploration: Zheng-He’s epic voyages in 15th Century Ming China

Thursday May 13th 7pm

Windsor Foundation Lecture Theatre, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, 1723 Hollis Street, Halifax, NS

 

Presenter:      Dr. Charles Tang

 

Emperor Yong-Le of the Ming Dynasty appointed Zheng-He to lead an armada to extend friendship and trade relations to other countries. From 1405 to 1433, Zheng-He’s fleet sailed to Cambodia, Java, Malacca, Sumatra, Ceylon, India, Oman, Aden and Kenya. These voyages promoted maritime commerce between China and Southeast Asia, the Arab world and Africa.

 

 

The Art of Chinese Embroidery

Sunday May 16th 2:30pm

Windsor Foundation Lecture Theatre, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, 1723 Hollis Street, Halifax, NS

 

Presenter:      Dr. Marie Elwood, former Chief Curator of History, NS Museum, is a Research Associate of the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Ottawa, the NSM and the NSCAD.

 

Embroidery has long been considered a high art form. Chinese embroidered clothing – from public and private collections, will be used to depict the techniques and symbolism of this art.

 

NFB Film Club presents “Unwanted Soldiers”

Thursday May 20th 7pm

Halifax North Library, 2285 Gottingen Street, Halifax, NS

 

This film documents the discrimination and racism against the Chinese Canadian community circa WWII.

 

 

 

Origami Art

Saturday May 22nd 2:30pm

Woodlawn Library, 114 Woodlawn Road, Dartmouth, NS

 

For ages 8-12. Please call Anne Baker at 435-8344 to register.

 

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C A N C E L L E D

 

INDIAN FILM “Bend It Like Beckham” by Gurinder Chadha

Saturday May 22nd 7pm

Sobey Building, Room 260, Saint Mary’s University, 903 Robie Street, Halifax, NS

 

Introduction by Dr. Joseph Tharamangalam, Professor and Chair, Department of Sociology / Anthropology, Mount Saint Vincent University.

 

C A N C E L L E D

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Introduction to Hangul, the Korean Language

Wednesday May 26th 12 noon

Spring Garden Road Library **

 

Presenters:    Kelly Kyung-Hee Ju and Lilli Hyo-Jung Ju

 

Hear about the history of Hangul, be introduced to the Hangul alphabet and learn some basic conversational phrases for getting by in Korean.

 

Reading by Author Kerri Sakamoto

Thursday May 27th 7pm

Spring Garden Road Library **

 

Sakamoto reads from her novel One Hundred Million Hearts (2003), an emotionally riveting story of love and remembrance, guilt and complicity in the context of war.

 

Origami Art

Saturday May 29th 2:30pm

Keshen Goodman Library *

 

All ages – please call Lynn Somers at 490-6438 to register

 

 

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SPECIAL DISPLAYS, EXHIBITS and WORKSHOPS

 

 

Library displays of Asian artifacts and / or library holdings throughout the month of May

 

Spring Garden Road Library, 5381 Spring Garden Road, Halifax, NS

Patrick Power Library, Saint Mary’s University, 5946 Inglis street, Halifax, NS

 

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Ed Pien: Tracing Night

Taiwanese-born Canadian artist Ed Pien installs an enveloping installation of drawings on a maze of suspended paper sheets, like glowing curtains. His fantastic figures draw on many sources, including Asian ghost stories, hell scrolls and calligraphic traditions. Exhibition curated by Tila Kellman.

 

Saturday, April 24th to Sunday, June 6th

 

Opening: Friday, April 23rd at 8pm

Artist’s Talk: Saturday, April 24th at 2pm

Curator’s Talk: Saturday, May 29th at 2pm

 

Saint Mary’s University Art Gallery

Loyola Building, 5865 Gorsebrook Avenue, Halifax, NS

 

Hours: Tues-Thurs 12:00 – 7:00pm; Fri-Sun 12:00 – 5:00pm

 

Treasures from the Yellow Sea

May 13th and May 20th 2-5pm

Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association (MISA), 7105 Chebucto Place, Chebucto Road, Halifax, NS

 

Hosted by Immigrant Services (MISA) and YMCA Newcomers’ Centre

 

Workshops to learn about Asian culinary art, crafts, paintings and self-care.

 

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N.B.    *   The Keshen Goodman Library is located at 330 Lacewood Drive in Clayton Park, Halifax, NS

** The Spring Garden Road Library is located at 5381 Spring Garden Road, Halifax, NS