21 September 2021 | 7: 00 p.m. EDT
Professor Chef Leo Chan in conversation with Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco.
Opening Remarks: Mr. Justin Poy, Honourary Patron, Asian Heritage Month-CFACI
Mr. Gregory McCormick, Toronto Public Library
The talk is organized by The Asian Heritage Month Festival and the Toronto Public Library.
Holidays and festivals are great events in the lives of people from every culture, beginning right from their childhood. Elements common to most traditional Chinese festivals are the desire for happiness and well-being, the protection of loved ones from misfortunes, the experience of oneness between humans and heaven, and most importantly, family reunion, the opportunity for rest and merriment.
According to the lunar calendar, in the fall, it is usually clear and cool, and there are seldom wandering clouds in the sky. The moon is particularly bright at night. The full moon is a symbol of reunion. The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is also called the Reunion Festival. It is closest to the North American Thanksgiving Day, and the concept of harvest after a long summer of hard work in the field.
There have been a lot of fascinations about the moon. Countless poets, writers, musicians and artists have inspired numerous songs, stories and operas to celebrate this happy festival. The moon cakes and other traditional food as round as the full moon, symbolize the completeness and togetherness of the family. Bright and round lanterns are hung from ceiling and balconies.
Leo and Sandra will share the stories, joy and traditions of the Moon Festival with the zoom audience. The talk embraces the sound and taste of home through this celebration.
Professor Chef Leo Chan
Born in Macau and raised in Hong Kong, Leo Chan came to Canada in 1966. Professor Chef Chan was educated at York, Ryerson (now Toronto Metropolitan) and Cornell Universities. He taught at George Brown and Humber Colleges, and held senior management positions in hotel and restaurant chains in Canada and the United States. He is a member of the 8 Precious Pearls Research Group of Chinese food history in Toronto, Co-founder of the Cambridge Food and Wine Society of Canada, and currently the Chairman of the Chan Family Association of Ontario.
Ward 4 Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco
Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco was first elected in 2003 and is currently the longest serving Asian female politician in the City of Vaughan and York Region. Now into her fifth term on Vaughan Council, she continues to be a driving force in bringing vital services to her constituents. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Ontario, Sandra obtained her A.R.C.T. at the Royal Conservatory of Music and graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. Following graduation, the Councillor ventured into the world of international business relations, complimented with extensive volunteer work with local non-profit and diverse community organizations.
Co-Organizers: Toronto Public Library; Asian Heritage Month—Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.; Toronto Public Library; York Centre for Asian Research, York University; Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto; York University; Richard Charles Lee Canada Hong Kong Library, University of Toronto; Chinese Canadian Photography Society of Toronto; WE Artists’ Group; Social Services Network; Cambridge Food and Wine Society; Fête Chinoise
Asian Heritage Month Festival is partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. Asian Canadian Artists in Digital Age is funded by Canada Council for the Arts Digital Strategy Fund