The Canada Day Drumming troupe from Vancouver gave a performance for locals in front of the Quesnel Museum on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 18), ahead of their scheduled performance in Barkerville for the historic site’s Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, which celebrates the contribution of Chinese Canadians in the gold rush town.
The group is also in the area to promote its main event, which has taken place on Canada Day for two years running, in which cities across Canada drum simultaneously for six minutes to promote multiculturalism.
“This is organized by Chinese Canadians, but we welcome any ethnic group to join in. We drum together, from Halifax to B.C., to show unity,” says Richard Wong, the national chairman of the World Chinese Business Association of Canada.
The drummers and organizers toured Quesnel’s museum with manager Elizabeth Hunter, and made a generous donation to the organization.
“Last time we came, we didn’t have a chance to see the museum. Elizabeth gave us this opportunity,” says Wong. “Because according to history, Chinese Canadians have been a big part of the history of Quesnel.”
“A lot of people in Canada think the Chinese came to build the Canadian Pacific Railway. But in B.C. we can say, ‘No, they were here before that, mining,’” explains Hunter.
The group performed in Barkerville’s celebration Aug. 18 before continuing their travels. They even brought with them journalists from Sing Tao Daily, Hong Kong’s second-largest Chinese language newspaper. Wong says the group’s tour publicizes their message of cultural diversity within Canada, while also promoting Canadian cities in China, in order to build tourism.
“We want to promote diversity, multiculturalism, harmony, peace and love for a better world,” comments Wong.
editor@quesnelobserver.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter