‘We will come back stronger’: Vancouver Chinatown Lunar New Year parade cancelled for second year

Year of the Tiger signifies courage, bravery and strength – which the heritage community has shown while being repeatedly targeted by anti-Asian hate during the pandemic.

For the second year in a row, the Lunar New Year parade in Vancouver’s Chinatown has been cancelled during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead, the heritage community hit hard by anti-Asian racism is welcoming the public to support local businesses and participate in both virtual and in-person celebrations as it welcomes Year of the Tiger on Tuesday, Feb. 1.

The Kouign Café is rolling out a limited edition steam basket set filled with a taste of their signature White Rabbit cookies – with 20 per cent of proceeds going towards St. Paul’s Hospital.

“It’s really important to celebrate Lunar New Year and keep it alive,” said owner Andrew Han.

Those traditions are more subdued in 2022 as many events go online again.

The corridors of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden are decorated with traditional lanterns and the registered museum is offering a variety of cultural festivities on Feb. 5 and Feb. 6 – including live storytelling, calligraphy demonstrations, and weather permitting, a City Opera Vancouver performance.

On Jan. 29, the Hon Hsing Athletic Club orchestrated a special lion dance for garden visitors, as the Lunar New Year parade is halted for a second year.

“It is kind of disheartening to not see a parade happening this year,” said Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden executive director Lorraine Lowe.