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February 18, 2007
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It was an extra special Chinese New Year last weekend in Edmonton.
The Edmonton Chinese Bilingual Education Association (ECBEA) is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and threw a great banquet and party at the new Century Palace restaurant in Chinatown.
Initiated by parent groups, Kildare and Meyonohk elementary schools were chosen for a trial run of a Chinese bilingual program for kindergarten classes in 1982.
I happened to be a Grade 1 student at Meyonohk that year and, although my curriculum didn't include Mandarin, the yearly Chinese New Year celebrations stand out in my early memories.
There were initially 34 students, and 25 years later there are more than 1,800 students in the Chinese bilingual program. In fact, the program is so successful, an adviser as been sent from China to study the program in hopes of expanding it to other schools around the world.
The New Year party last Saturday also attracted some powerful representatives including Mayor Stephen Mandel, Premier Ed Stelmach and Alberta Lt.-Gov. Normie Kwong, the first Chinese-Canadian in the Canadian Football League.
Along with colourful decorations and dress, the celebrations included a traditional 10-course dinner and tons of entertainment including a variety of dances and music.
Although this is the association's 25th anniversary, the celebrations will continue Feb. 24 with a literary festival at the Royal Alberta Museum and then into next year, 25 years after the Chinese bilingual program was officially launched by Edmonton Public Schools.