For immediate release
June 12, 2007
Toronto Revelling in Chinese Culture
Visitors seeing, feeling and tasting a bit of China in Toronto
Weekend getaway packages are available from $83 U.S.
Toronto, ON - This year Toronto has the foremost largest Chinese cultural experience outside of China, boasting an impressive selection of art, entertainment and culinary wonders. Again this summer, the centrepiece, will be Toronto’s waterfront illuminated with the 2nd annual Rogers Chinese Lantern Festival.
“Chinese culture is a powerful influence throughout the city,” said David Whitaker, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto. “You can see it, feel it, and taste it.”
At more than 10 per cent of the Toronto region’s population, the Chinese community makes up one of Toronto’s largest and most visible ethnic groups. In fact, the Toronto region now has six distinct Chinatowns. The city’s downtown Chinatown is North America’s second largest, and the largest when all six Chinatowns are grouped together.
Chinese Events
Toronto also celebrates Chinese culture with the Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival from June 16-17 at Toronto’s Centre Island. Culinary delights will also be featured at the Dim Sum Chinese Festival part of the Harbourfront Centre’s World Routes 2007 taking place from July 20 - 22. In partnership with the Bata Shoe Museum, this event will also feature a lecture and Nan Dan demonstration by Master Bi Gu Yun, a renowned Peking Opera sensation whose upcoming Canadian appearances mark his first performances outside China. Chinese gastronomy will be presented at The Toronto Chinatown Festival on August 11 – 12.
“Toronto has embraced the Chinese culture and spirit,” said Stephen Chan, Managing Director of the Bright Pearl restaurant in downtown Chinatown. “This summer Toronto offers truly authentic experiences that are the closet thing to China.”
Museums & Galleries
Toronto’s museums have some of the largest authentic Chinese exhibits in the world. The Royal Ontario Museum is showcasing three new Chinese galleries - Matthews Family Court of Chinese Sculpture, Bishop White Gallery of Chinese Temple Art and ROM Gallery of Chinese Architecture.
Special Exhibitions this Summer:
• Rogers Chinese Lantern Festival at Ontario Place is the largest North American lantern presentation of its kind featuring the most exiting displays of illuminated Chinese culture and craftsmanship (July 19th to October 7th).
• The Toronto Zoo’s Dinosaurs Alive! exhibit features 16 life-size interactive animatronic dinosaurs including a Tyrannosaurus rex as well as newly discovered skeletons and fossils from China’s Zi-Gong region. This exhibit is the largest of its kind in North America and marks the first time these dinosaurs are exhibited in Ontario.
• The Leo and Doris Hodroff Collection makes its Canadian debut “Made in China- Export Porcelain” exhibit on display at the Gardiner Museum until September 16.
• Ontario Science Centre’s Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition (through January 6, 2008) details passenger life aboard the ship including the experience of eight Chinese sailors who boarded the ill-fated ship in 1912.
• Also, the Bata Shoe Museum’s special exhibit “Watched by Heaven Tied to Earth: Summoning Animal Protection for Chinese Children” draws largely from Glenn Robert’s extensive collection of Chinese zodiac embroidered footwear.
Chinese Culture in the Arts
The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival running from November 14 – 18 will showcase contemporary independent shorts and features by local and international Asian filmmakers. This festival is a unique showcase of contemporary Asian cinema and work from the Asian diaspora. Works include films and videos by East and Southeast Asian artist in Canada, the U.S., Asia and all over the world.
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO), Canada's foremost symphonic ensemble, regularly features Chinese artists. This season includes a performance by Yuja Wang, a renowned classical pianist on October 20, 2007. Some of TSO’s core orchestra musicians grew up in mainland China including Teng Li, a principal cellist and Jin-Shan Dai, a violinist.
Chinatown Shopping
Pacific Mall features a traditional Asian-style market with more than 500 stores, and a traditional Heritage Town of more than 100 vendors offering goods from the Pacific Rim. Several other large shopping centres cater to Toronto’s Chinese clientele – the Chinatown Centre and the Dragon City complex, both in Toronto’s downtown Chinatown.
Travel Packages
Tourism Toronto offers a variety of weekend getaways allowing visitors to explore Chinese culture in Toronto. Packages start at $83 U.S. For more information on visiting Toronto, please visit: www.torontotourism.com, or for the Chinese version of the website, please visit: www.torontotourismchina.com.
About Tourism Toronto
Tourism Toronto, Toronto’s Convention and Visitors Association, is an industry association of more than 1,100 members established to strategically sell and market the Greater Toronto Region as a remarkable destination for tourists, convention delegates and business travelers around the globe.
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Note to editor: Chinese and Mandarin speaking tourism officials are available for interviews. Publication quality photos of the city and the specific activities mentioned above are also available.
For more information contact:
Michele Simpson
Manager, Media Relations
(416) 987-1738
msimpson@torcvb.com