As the Year of the Rabbit dawned, Chinese students at the University of Toronto gathered for a vibrant Spring Festival gala hosted by the Chinese Undergraduates Association, blending ancestral traditions with cross-cultural connections. CGTN Stringer spoke with attendees about their celebrations and hopes for the future.
\"Making dumplings together reminded me of home – it\u2019s about warmth and continuity,\" said a third-year biology student, showcasing handmade jiaozi filled with Canadian-grown vegetables.
Many students highlighted hybrid celebrations: streaming CCTV\u2019s Spring Festival Gala while introducing local friends to festive dishes like niangao (sticky rice cake). Nearly 70% of interviewees emphasized preserving customs like red envelope exchanges despite being overseas.
\"Next year, I want to hear firecrackers in my hometown square,\" shared a graduate student, echoing a common wish among attendees to reunite with family in the Chinese mainland.
The event featured lion dances fused with Toronto\u2019s multicultural arts scene, reflecting how young diaspora communities are redefining cultural preservation.
Reference(s):
'We Talk': Spring Festival wishes of Chinese students in Canada
cgtn.com
