“Year of the Monkey”: Chinese-Canadians ready to celebrate Lunar New Year

REGINA – Canadians across Saskatchewan are preparing to mark and celebrate a brand new year of good health and prosperity.

Each Lunar New Year celebrates a beloved animal in the Chinese zodiac, and according to Chinese traditions, this year’s quick-witted primate symbolizes luck and fortune.

“The Chinese zodiac, there are twelve animals. This year is the year of monkey. The monkey is clever, lively, energetic, and it is a very lucky year.  Lots of people like to have babies in the monkey year”, Regina Chinese-Canadian Association’s (RCCA) Guili Liu explained.

With approximately 14,000 Chinese-Canadians living in Saskatchewan, Liu says the new year is a time to celebrate with family and friends. It’s also to celebrate and acknowledge the diverse culture of the nation.

“We want to promote Chinese culture, and we want to contribute to the multiculturalism in Canada, and we would like to let people know this is what we do”, Liu said.

The Deputy Consul-General to the People’s Republic of China was in Regina partaking in the Queen City’s pre New Year celebrations.

He’s hopeful the RCCA will continue to promote Chinese culture within the city, as well as the province.

“I hope the Regina Chinese-Canadian Association will further help local Chinese communities, and further enhance the friendly exchange between corporations and Regina, and to further promote Chinese culture”.

The RCCA says it’s hopeful the 2016 Year of the Monkey will bring together people of all social fabrics, and celebrate new opportunities and accomplishments.