THE REINVENTION OF: CHEUK KWAN 關卓中：以生命影響生命

For 4 years, Cheuk crossed the globe, travelling to 13 countries, venturing behind kitchen doors to feature the journeys of 15 émigrés he found in each place. From Madagascar to Israel, from Brazil to South Africa, the real-life stories he uncovered along the way were more riveting than any work of fiction could ever be. Some were running from war, many from political oppression, a few from religious persecution; some were highly educated; some were farmers — yet all were forced to pick up a wok and a spatula — not because they loved Chinese food, but out of necessity.

Personal Stories, Design Dialogue, Film & BooksFête ChinoiseApril 24, 2023Art, artistsComment

Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs Awards Gala 2023

Awards season is here not only in the Arts and Film, but also in Business! The Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs is one of the longest standing and progressive organizations for networking and celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit in Canada. This year was the first full in-person celebration after a few years of adjusted celebrations due to the pandemic. Taking place at the Metro Convention Centre last weekend, on April 15th, the Board of Directors welcomed almost 800 guests who came ready to toast the new winners.

Current AffairsFête ChinoiseApril 20, 2023acceComment

The 41st Hong Kong Film Awards Celebrates Talent and a High Quality Year

The stars were out on the red carpet at the Hong Kong Culture Centre on April 16th to celebrate the victorious year of Hong Kong Films and films in Asia that we just witnessed. In Canada and North America, there has been a noticeable surge in interest in Asian films which have placed them into official theatre box offices across the country. Throughout the last two decades, there have been films playing now and then at select theatres such as Cineplex, but it was a sparse trend and sometimes films were only shown at a specific single location such as in Markham, where there is a large Asian population.

Current Affairs, Film & BooksFête ChinoiseApril 17, 2023Awards, hong kong, moviesComment

Gucci Announces the new Gucci Bamboo 1947 Campaign Featuring Liu Wen

Supermodel Liu Wen stars in the House’s latest campaign dedicated to the Bamboo 1947, distinguished by the curved bamboo handle whose hand-crafted nature makes each bag unique. Shot and directed by David Sims, the campaign portrays two emblematic characters in an intimate relationship – the kind that develops between an individual and a loved object. Stills and video depict the bag as a symbolic keeper of secrets, an allegorical treasure chest of cherished sentiments. Everything traces back to the enduring bond that exists between a woman and her bag and how this connection grows deeper over time as a bag is much more than a mere object, but rather an extension of the woman herself and an expression of her unique femininity.

AdsFête ChinoiseApril 17, 2023fashion, gucci, liu wen, modelComment

A SENSE OF PLACE: JENNY YUJIA SHI 施雨迦：漂流成長記

Halifax-based, multimedia artist Jenny Yujia Shi talks a lot about growing roots. This is probably because her life has been uprooted almost too many times to count. Not surprisingly, much of her creative output centres around themes of displacement and dislocation, which she attributes to two defining moments in her life: the demolition of her childhood neighbourhood in downtown Beijing and then, the decade she spent navigating the immigration process here in Canada. Shi’s work is as poignant as it is beautiful.

Personal Stories, Art and FashionFête ChinoiseApril 17, 2023Art, artistsComment

Unapologetically Asian: Trevor Lui 雷卓凡：以食物治癒童年傷痕

Food has always been an integral part of Chinese culture — a reason to bring families and friends together as they share life over a grand display in the centre of the table. Over the last couple of years, food has become the subject of conversations surrounding Asian stereotypes and racism, with stories of childhood snacks,

Remembering Ryuichi Sakamoto and the Award-Winning Score of The Last Emperor

Remembering Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto and his music for the film The Last Emperor. A reflective piece that ties into the inspirational year that Fete Chinoise platform started.

Film & BooksDeborah Lau-YuApril 7, 2023Comment

In love, In the Unknown: Linda Chung 鍾嘉欣：放手的智慧

Mesmerised by her two (soon to be three) children, Linda Chung wakes up each day in Vancouver to their angelic faces and appreciates every moment of her life. She admits the best part of motherhood is that it made her become an adult and actually learn how to have a life. “Back in the day when I was working 365 days a year, I didn’t know how to live.” Referring to her career in entertainment as an actor, she recounts what it was like in Hong Kong: “you work hard and are dedicated to it, but it was onscreen stuff. I may have grown in strength and creativity, but not in other ways.”

Personal StoriesFête ChinoiseApril 4, 2023linda chung, tvb, cele, Celebrity, dramaComment

Chinese Canadians Exploring Canada's North: Terrence Au 區宇航：竹昇闖加北

As the old traditional Chinese expression goes, “Studying ten thousand books cannot compare to travelling ten thousand miles.” This common saying happens to also be the one philosophy that I live by. Though books and the advancement of modern technology have allowed us to "travel" easily from the comfort of our armchairs at home, I have always believed that we can only learn about other cultures through first-hand experience. It is only by immersing yourself fully in other people's worlds that you can begin to understand their ways of life.

Personal StoriesFête ChinoiseMarch 30, 2023travel, canadian, chinese canadian, northComment

AARON KWOK DELIVERS SUPERSTAR PERFORMANCE ON OLG STAGE IN NIAGARA FALLS

After several years of physical distance between Canada and Hong Kong, Toronto fans and followers of Hong Kong pop culture were elated that a household name would be coming to the GTA. Aaron Kwok, known as one of the four iconic “heavenly kings” of canto pop and the one with the best dance moves, was scheduled for a single evening of his trademark sizzling performances last week at the newly renovated OLG stage at Fallsview Casino. The brand new, state-of-the-art theatre was packed full to its 5000 seat capacity on a Monday night, as loyal fans descended to the concert hall to cheer on Kwok who also happens to be the ambassador for this year’s “Hello, Hong Kong” campaign to reconnect the world with the city after years of lockdown during the pandemic.

Current AffairsFête ChinoiseMarch 30, 2023Aaron Kwok, concerts, music, chinese music, hong kong, celeComment

Art, Food & Family Ties: Don Kwan 關日安：尋找我那遺失的美好

This year marks a major milestone in artist Don Kwan’s family: they will be celebrating their 100th anniversary since settling in Canada back in November of 1922. One of 8 children, Kwan is part of the third generation of his family and a proud descendant of his paternal grandfather who immigrated to Canada at just 11 years of age. Part of the first wave of Chinese immigrants, his grandfather was affected by the discriminatory Chinese Immigration Act that would charge every Chinese newcomer a $50 head tax (an incredible sum in the 1920s). Like so many of that generation, his grandfather would later go back to China to marry and have children there before his family could fully emigrate to Canada after the Second World War.

Personal Stories, Art and FashionFête ChinoiseMarch 27, 2023Art, artists, ottawaComment

Blades of Glory: Wallace Wong 黃百淳: 先苦，後甜，再淡然

“My grandma always said that if you wanted to get revenge on your worst enemy, invite them or their loved ones to work in a restaurant,” remembers Chef Wallace Wong. Despite witnessing how gruelling the restaurant business can be — and happily for the world — our favourite ‘Six Pack Chef’ didn’t heed his Po Po’s advice.

Personal StoriesFête ChinoiseMarch 20, 2023chef, tiktok, CelebrityComment