2024 Asian Heritage Month Events

Cross-cultural Dialogues Through Asian Canadian Art | Workshops in School Boards in Toronto

Admission is free

i) Literary Arts Workshops (For schools only)

Date: May 15, 2024, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Secondary Level)

Led by Chinese Canadian award-winning author Dr. Lien Chao, Filipino Canadian author Patria Rivera, and Filipino Canadian writers and poets Erica Dionora, Angelo Santos, Rachel Evengeline Chiong and Carolyn Fe. Patria Rivera was the co-editor of Magadaragal: An Anthology of Filipino-Canadian Writing. 

These Asian Canadian women writers will tell their stories of how their writings were inspired by their Asian Canadian cultures, and the need to give voice to Asian Canadian women and girls. The ways in which the writings promote anti-racism and Canada’s multiculturalism will also be covered. Students will be asked to explore similar experiences in their own cultural contexts.

ii) Music Workshops (For schools only)

Dates: May 16, 2024, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (Grades 5 to 8)

Presenter: Bo San Karantjans

This is a practical workshop on how to use Asian music therapy as a tool for mental health. Bo San Karantjans will be offering examples of music to explain the Five Element theory (which she touched on in her workshop last year). Kids will learn about The Five Tones that can create emotional regulation and be given a list of Asian songs that effectively reduces stress and improves mood. Best of all, Asian music therapy is easily accessible and can be added to anyone’s mental health tool kit.  

Event co-organizers: Asian Heritage Month—Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture (Central Ontario) Inc.; Toronto Public Library; Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto; 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

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