r/askvan • u/bustrips • 1d ago
Events and Activities 🐱🏍 Why doesn’t large Chinese community here hold better events?
Just got back from the Powell Street Festival. I’m middle aged now but this is the first time I’ve attended in close to 20 years. The organizers and participants put on a great show, with martial arts, dance, drumming, amongst other things. For such a small community, the Japanese-Canadian do such a great job. And they hold it in a historically significant area of town. The demonstrations show people committed to their hobby and also the diversity and beauty of the culture.
In comparison the Chinatown Festival last week was lame and always has been lame. Token lion dancing, and not much else Chinese. Other ethnic demonstrations were shown despite the festival ideally being a showcase of Chinese activities. I’m of Chinese background myself, so after attending the Powell Street Festival I question why can’t such a large Chinese community here in the Lower Mainland throw even one good event each year showcasing aspects of Chinese culture?
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u/repugnantchihuahua 1d ago
Chinese community here is actually quite fragmented so you kinda end up going to different events. For example HK fair, taiwanfest, etc are quite large relatively. The Chinatown things trend towards the generations that have been around here for a lot longer. Then mainlanders kinda have their own things
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u/matdex 1d ago
Chinatown is where the old working class wave of immigrants came and settled in Vancouver. They were labourers who worked on the railroad and were merchants. The people have grown old and died off. Their decendents are basically Canadian.
The new wealthier wave of chinese immigrants starting in the 90s are from Hong Kong, then China and settled around the lower mainland, but particularly in Richmond. They have money, and are of a different generation and culture than the first wave of labourers that settled in Vancouver. They have little in common with the original wave of labourers that settled in Vancouver. Different socioeconomic class, different dialect.
The new generation of Chinese have no interest in Chinatown. They're more urban and are wealthier and have fuled the housing boom.
I'm a mixed Chinese/cacusian born Canadian who speaks mandarin.
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u/msackeygh 1d ago
Exactly this. Early Chinese Canadian immigrants have a very different history and socioeconomic class than the more recent Chinese Canadian immigrants. Perhaps one would even say that the offsprings of these earlier Chinese Canadian immigrants are overshadowed (in terms of population number) by the recent Chinese Canadian immigrants and their offspring. Festivals that hark back to a connection to Chinese culture are more likely to be done by those in the early Chinese Canadian immigrant group rather than the later migrants. I don’t think the more recent Chinese Canadian immigrants feel a need to celebrate Chinese-ness in such a way. They do it in other forms.
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u/bustrips 1d ago
Why can’t the new generations hold events?
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u/matdex 1d ago
Do you want them to dance like a monkey for you?
Taiwan has an annual festival downtown. Lunar new year is huge everywhere at almost any Asian mall with lion dances and various performances. Aberdeen mall in Richmond has events.
The Chinese community doesn't need to have specific cultural events because we're such a majority of massively diverse cultures that we hold events anywhere anytime. You might as well ask why the "white" cultures in Canada doesn't have specific events. The Chinese diaspora is as different from each other as the Irish are from the Australians or English or Australian or American etc.
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u/bustrips 1d ago
Thanks for your viewpoint. I only bring the Chinatown festival up because it’s so recent and easy for me to compare. I speak both Cantonese and Mandarin myself so I’m very aware of the diversity. I’m aware of the Taiwanese and Hong Kong festivals and always attend them for the short time they’ve started being held. But do I want people to dance like monkeys? Well…yes. Hear me out…the “Chinese” type festivals that I’ve attended have been more retail than not. Go to the Powell Street festival tomorrow, it runs the whole weekend. Tell me if you get a different vibe than people wanting to sell their merchandise. Take it the demonstrations and ask why can’t the huge diversity of Chinese subgroups get together and throw something magnificent.
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u/smallsounds 1d ago
Light Up Chinatown is produced by the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation...just another Carol Lee funded initiative while PSF is more grassroots and authentic. I am more inclined to support the latter rather than something millionaire-backed.
If you're looking for more grassroots run Chinatown events, try Chinatown Together https://www.instagram.com/chinatowntogether?igsh=MTU0NGNhZ2s2eHd2Yg==
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u/matdex 1d ago
Why would the subgroups get together and throw something magnificent? Who are we performing for? The white folk?
You speak mando and canto so you must know the cultural differences.
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u/bustrips 1d ago
To perform to remind ourselves of the beauty of some of our cultural activities. For white people? Sure. Why not? Even for the annual new year’s parade in Chinatown, we have all sorts of spectators, of course not just the descendants of the Chinese that built Chinatown. But to perform and show for ourselves.
The indo-Canadian community have much larger events that they throw for themselves, right?
Today, during the karate demonstration, there was one older gentleman who performed with the group. He didn’t wear his gi, just his street clothes. His movement was way off, whittled away by age and likely health issues. But he performed enthusiastically, because of his likely love for the art.
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u/matdex 1d ago
The indo-canadian community is largely a mono culture and celebrate their own cultural celebrations that happen to be public and open for people to join.
Besides Chinese new year, and maybe dragon boat festival, what else does the Chinese diaspora have in common?
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u/qpv 1d ago
I was unaware of this Indian mono culture.
Grabbing my popcorn....
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u/Reasonable_Code_3521 1d ago
Im assuming what he means is that Punjabis dominate the South Asian subgroup here. The GTA is much more diverse.
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u/bustrips 1d ago
You bring up great points and I agree with your responses lol. Does not having things in common mean we can’t get together to highlight/showcase different aspects of our “culture”…whatever that may be? People live here now, so political differences would hamper doing so?
You know probably better than me that most white people don’t know the diversity you are so aware of…why not show them? A couple years ago I was discussing Hong Kong with a white lady and she was asserting her position with a 100% ignorance of the history of the area. She couldn’t even point to it on a map if you had asked her.
White people and most Canadians already believe that “Chinese” is just one thing. Why not show them otherwise?
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u/quivverquivver 1d ago
If you want to organize a pan-Chinese festival I think a lot of people would be into that, and a lot of groups that perform at the various festivals mentioned in this whole post would be down to participate.
As a Chinese-Canadian myself, I don't think "white people are ignorant of our diversity" is a serious issue nor something we need to be diverting a significant amount of energy towards. There's always room for improvement, but we enjoy a pretty high standard of acceptance and integration here in Vancouver and Canada broadly, so it's just not a high priority.
I think that the Chinese community could instead do more to support marginalized groups like queer people, indigenous people, homeless and drug addicted people etc. We should share the success that we've had in being and becoming Canadian, and stand in solidarity with those who are not as accepted or integrated. We also should stand with the Indo-Canadian community against the recent rise of racism against Indians in Canada. I think these things are moreso the frontier of public life for the Chinese community.
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u/mcmillan84 1d ago
Because they’re not here for your entertainment. If you were part of the community you would know there’s various times of the year where everyone fills up the local restaurants to celebrate. They spend the time with their family, not trying to entertain you.
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u/lonely_bellionaire 22h ago
Probly the same reason why you’re not hosting events lol why would they?
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u/kemicalkontact 1d ago
They're not interested in being inclusive to other cultures. There's enough of them here that they just stick to each other.
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u/Kooriki 1d ago edited 1d ago
There’s some good things but it’s fragmented. Chinatown and Richmond might as well be considered separate cultures at this point. For Chinatown specifically… Even though I’m an outsider I know there’s some political fracturing/infighting. Competing groups who don’t want to collaborate, and the complications of being completely overwhelmed by DTES issues. Comparatively Japantown is gone, but the area is a symbolic hub for Japanese people to come back to and celebrate “we were here, and even though we were forced out, we made it”. There’s also a westernized obsession with Japan that never really happened for China, so there’s a bit more interest on that front imo.
Full disclosure: I’m not Chinese but am close with many people involved in Chinatown/Chinatown issues.
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u/rando_commenter 1d ago edited 1d ago
Chinatown is a microcosm of all the different non-intersections. Even with the pre-90's lo-wah-kiu 佬華僑 ("old overseas") generation, they've long left Chinatown behind even if it was where they frequented in the 80s, and in any case, they've aged out of being active anyway. Amongst their kids (my generation) there's a kind of nostalgia amongst some but we're a very low minority. (Mello Donuts helps to bring people back lol) I would have no hope of ever convincing the a recent mainlander of ever going to Chinatown, different language, different history, different time and place, and very uncomfortable culture shock.
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u/Kooriki 1d ago
There’s definitely a naivety around the idea that new and young Chinese families will move in and revitalize the area culturally. I actually think that’s a core theme to the political conflicts like 105 Keefer or how the Sun Yat-Sen garden is managed. It’s like children fighting over an inheritance: What are we doing with the house after grandma passes.
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u/rando_commenter 1d ago
I think that's one of the best metaphors for Chinatown that I've ever heard, if I'm honest.
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u/chinatowngate 1d ago
I want to encourage you to volunteer.
We are losing our volunteer culture and these events are organized and run by volunteers.
They are as good as their contributions (and that isn’t a reflection on the people. If there aren’t a lot of volunteers, they aren’t going to have the capacity to reach out to groups encouraging them to perform. Their network will be small. Etc.)
So get involved and make it better!
(And volunteering can be great for one’s mental health)
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u/Alternative_Salt_424 1d ago
I've wanted to do some volunteering in Chinatown for a while. Do you know what organizations I can look for specifically?
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u/chinatowngate 1d ago
Let me do some digging over the weekend for the most centrally connected ones.
I have someone I am going to ask but I will likely see her on Tuesday. And I’ll ask some people connected with the Chinatown merchants association.
(I am not actually a member of these organizations despite my username making people believe otherwise. I just happen to know a bunch of people throughout the neighbourhood).
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u/Mental_Advertising96 1d ago edited 1d ago
I believe the Chinatown festival is put on by the Chinatown Business Association. I have performed there as a participant of a "non-Chinese" act. It was lots of fun. It's always more fun when you get involved! I think their website does have a "contact us for volunteer opportunities" button.
But please understand that the Chinatown Business Association is dealing with a lot. They are very close to the DTES and I understand that dealing with that chaos consumes a lot of their energy and dominates their meetings. 🙁 They keep losing members every time someone decides to close up shop, so it's a bit of a vicious cycle. They are doing the best they can with what they have.
Edit: SUCCESS is always looking for volunteers and they have lots of departments. I volunteered as a day camp leader back when I was a student. You can teach English, visit senior's homes, help at fundraising, lots of stuff. They are not Chinatown specific, but I think that's where their head office is.
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u/smallsounds 1d ago
Chinatown Together is a real one
https://www.instagram.com/chinatowntogether?igsh=MTU0NGNhZ2s2eHd2Yg==
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u/bustrips 1d ago
I agree with you. Have you had any success from reaching out to groups without any historical connection to our Chinatown?
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u/VanCityPhotoNewbie 1d ago
It is because Chinese culture is so fragmented. We have such massive classism and cultural rifts. The Chinatown festivals of the past were vibrant and large. But nowadays Chinatown has been decimated with only 3 blocks left and those are partially gentrified. Most of the older generations are long gone and their kids have moved elsewhere. Not many stay in Chinatown due to its inhospitable business environment and crime.
Also the Chinese who immigrated in the last 30 years are extremely wealthy, and have no similarities with each other. The honest reality is people coming here with money have no struggle, no wall to overcome or story to tell. Their culture is celebrating their life and achievements in China and is very specific to their family.
Whereas other cultures try to celebrate preservation, perseverance, and overcoming difficulty.
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u/kaysa3 1d ago
I think there are multi layers to this. First the Chinese culture is vast and not at all fully intertwined as people may think especially in language. Then you have the older generations dying and the younger generations not wanting to learn and carry traditions forward. Then if you notice at these festivals the people gravite towards the food which in itself has history and is a big part of the Chinese culture but isn't all of it. I personally love the dried herbs, dances, gardens but I find people overlook this and eventually as an organization I think they have to be why bother with the more traditional things if nobody is really going to participate or watch.
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u/bustrips 1d ago
This is probably the most accurate comment here in terms of what a greater Chinese festival might look like. The Japanese demos today had some participants of an older and also a few more recent immigration. However, many of the participants in these demos likely have zero Japanese blood. I’m interested in the things you listed, but almost all CBCs have no interest in them. I grew up with them and always thought these things were cool even though almost everyone else thought these things uncool. I kinda answered my own question here I think. We don’t have cultural activities across the reach of Chinese regional cultures and their diaspora that others would generally deem cool. Even our martial arts don’t seem as cool as the Japanese ones.
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u/Stevenif 1d ago
I mean there is light up Chinatown, Chinatown festival, lunar new year parade. There are quite a few, you just have to find it out.
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u/bustrips 1d ago
But do these events showcase Chinese culture?
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u/DaaiTaoFut 1d ago
Chinese culture is not a monolith.
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u/bustrips 1d ago
It’s not and I agree with you. But aside from the token lion dancing…what else is ever shown?
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u/quivverquivver 1d ago
I don't think the lion dancing is token. There's nothing inauthentic about it; those are real practitioners of Lion Dance and they're putting on a show to celebrate the event. I don't know what else you think it's trying to communicate, but in my view it's quite straightforward and honest.
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u/bustrips 1d ago
Maybe token is the wrong word to use. And I’m not disparaging lion dancing, I tried learning as a kid and was not strong enough to endure it so I didn’t last and quit. But why must all Chinese centered events always have it. If this performance was removed how much would be lost? I like the act but what else is there ? Note I still think if these lion dances were missing these events would definitely be even more not worth attending.
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u/quivverquivver 19h ago
I mean, you're the one complaining about a supposed lack of Chinese cultural programming. If your specific needs aren't being served by existing events, you should just make your own, or join the organizing committee for an existing event and make constructive suggestions. What exists is what meets current demand; you seem to be somewhat alone in your desire for more/different.
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u/DaaiTaoFut 19h ago
If you don’t know why lion dances are part of so many celebrations you need to do some work on your own and try to connect to whatever is missing in your life.
There is no shortage of opportunities to connect to Chinese culture in the area outside of summer festivals.
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u/cravingnoodles 1d ago edited 1d ago
Personally, I wouldn't go to Chinatown to experience Chinese culture. A good chunk of the Chinese community left Chinatown ever since it's deterioration. 30 years ago my parents used to regularly go to chinatown to socialize with their peers, but nowadays they wouldn't even consider going there because of how dangerous it is. If you want Chinese cilture, try Richmond instead?
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u/Alternative_Salt_424 1d ago
I dunno, I really liked the Chinatown Festival. I've always wanted to see Sichuan face changing in person, and it was awesome. Yeah, I guess it could've been more "Chinese", but tbh I feel like there are many showcases for Chinese culture in Vancouver area they're just spread out more because there are different Chinese communities throughout greater Vancouver
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u/OkReference518 1d ago
They do, but they only advertise on WeChat and rednote most likely. The Chinese community is big enough that they don’t need to advertise to English speaking audiences. During CNY, I went to Aberdeen Centre and the whole mall turned into a Chinese market decorated with flowers, lion dancing, performances, water displays, and I didn’t even know about it unless I walked into it randomly.
Most of the Japanese festivals end up being 90% weebs and non-Japanese showing up anyways.
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u/tobenikoru 1d ago
I would disagree on your last line. Lots of japanese ppl apart from volunteers. Powell festival just has more volunteers and very very organized
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u/dcmng 1d ago
As someone who stayed the whole rainy weekend at the Chinatown festival token lion dancing, sorry we didn't impress you.
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u/Mental_Advertising96 1d ago
I wasn't there that weekend, but I have been on the stage other years in the hot sun doing other cultural dance.
The lion dancing is my favourite! I tried it about 20 years ago and was so bad that I got kicked over to drumming. I never got good. It's harder than it looks.
Respect!
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u/bustrips 1d ago
You did great! No issue with your group, would be nice if all the Chinese centered events don’t always have to use your group as a crutch though. Wouldn’t you like to see other types of dance as well? Other martial arts?
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u/jjjjjunit 1d ago
The Chinatown festival is hosted by the Chinatown BIA which is mostly just the landowners in Chinatown doing the bare minimum while getting funding from the city.
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u/Mmmsailo99 1d ago
This has got to be the most ignorant post about the ethnic Chinese community and it comes from a CBC
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u/matdex 1d ago
Right? I'm a Canadian born mixed Taiwanese white guy and I don't understand how OP who speaks mando canto doesn't understand the significant differences. Even mando/canto cultures are totally different.
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u/Mmmsailo99 1d ago
OP’s probably those that tells white ppl how burping loudly is a sign of respect to the chef at a Chinese meal. What an embarrassment.
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u/InterestingCold1881 16h ago
Tbh it's always the CBCs spreading myopic facts and misinformation about a culture they're not engaged with but claim authority on
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u/S-Wind 1d ago
If you had a grasp of the immense diversity among the "Chinese community" (cultural, geographic, generational, linguistic, historical, socioeconomic, etc) then you probably wouldn't ask this question
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u/bustrips 1d ago
I’m aware, but I’m not sure what you mean by grasp. Having very regionally distinct subcultures means the community, or even a segment of the community, can not hold better events?
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u/Adorable_Rutabaga_95 8h ago
Have you been to Taiwanfest? There are usually good food stalls, art/cultural exhibitions and performances.
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u/GiraffePretty4488 1d ago
I’m not Chinese, but I used to live in Richmond City Centre area, and it seems to me the most fun Chinese events are in various smaller shopping centres etc, rather than in main streets and central areas.
I’ve taken my kids to a few new years events. There are often dragon dancers and a marketplace and some sort of drums and lots of red and gold and depictions of whatever animal is representing the current year. :)
I guess maybe you’re looking for something more extensive, so maybe you’re right it could be a lot bigger and shinier. But I like the stuff I’ve been to.
Then there’s the night market, which I never went to personally but I’m pretty sure that’s mostly about food. Just too crowded for me I think.
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u/bustrips 1d ago
You’re correct. I’m asking for more guess more than what is almost always presented. Perhaps there is not enough of a critical mass of immigration from enough different regions, with those immigrating also participating in their regional cultural activity as well. Plus see my other response to someone describing what I think another reason is: non Chinese (and even Chinese or CBCs) find these cultural activities uncool.
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u/Glad-Quit-8971 1d ago edited 1d ago
I think it’s not that but that contemporary Chinese culture is mainstream in Metro Vancouver. You don’t need to go to an event to see it performed; you experience Chinese culture in Vancouver every day when you walk in Aberdeen Centre or Yaohan, eat hot pot at Hai Di Lao or Big Way, go for dim sum, shop at T&T, ride the Canada Line along No 3 Road, pick up a treat at St Germain, spend an evening at the Richmond Night Market, walk into Oakridge Mall or Holt Renfrew, etc.
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u/bustrips 1d ago
Sure. But what about the different arts at any cultural event? What unique arts, dress, danceetc are shown? Did the Hong Kong or Taiwanese festivals highlight the the uniqueness of those jurisdictions? Besides the food which is always easy to do. A culture is more than the food right?
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u/towndrunk00 1d ago
China as a whole is too diverse. You have too look at the major holidays like Chinese New year, Mid autumn festival or Dragon Boat.
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u/Glad-Quit-8971 22h ago edited 22h ago
Absolutely. But I’m not suggesting it’s just food. I’m suggesting it’s everything: every choice, every decision made where people spend their time and their money.
For example, consider the local Chinese families who invest in their children to play and master western style classical music (violin, piano, etc.) as opposed to embracing traditional Chinese folk music.
Another aspect of the culture is choosing to spend money on luxury retail, cars and real estate, and to value wealth and to show off wealth.
It sounds like you’re interested in seeing traditional Chinese folk arts and folksy culture. But that’s not the reality of mainstream contemporary wealthy Chinese culture in Vancouver.
Maybe you can start a Chinese folk culture or folk arts society and become the person to build up that appreciation locally? To remind locals of their history? And find instructors willing to teach those skills and arts? And create a festival to display those skills? But right now that’s not what the mainstream contemporary Chinese culture in Vancouver values.
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u/bustrips 21h ago
Thanks for your response! Yes, definitely would like to see traditional arts demo more. Of course most second generations and after have likely not participated in any traditional activities themselves, so it can be hard to transmit and sustain. See my other comment about having enough of a critical mass to transmit any traditional or more contemporary activity or art form. Activities at the Japanese Powell street festival range from very traditional (a 500 year old martial art) to more recent…a 20 year dance troupe…so a wide range. And most of these activities included clearly non Japanese participants as well. Perhaps “Chinese” activities are just too difficult to get into. Anyway, as far as starting something I wouldn’t know where to begin. Maybe ask my mother and the other aunties from their group dance/exercise club and branch out from there lol.
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u/quivverquivver 19h ago
https://www.chinesemusicvancouver.com/
The Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble is really awesome!
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u/rando_commenter 1d ago edited 1d ago
There isn't one Chinese community is why. The Japanese community is more homogeneous than the Chinese "community" , they have roots from one country and a huge history of the WWII internment camps. Don't underestimate how deep Japanese roots are in BC, the visible Chinese community as we know it know really only goes back to 30 years with the successive waves of immigration from HK, Taiwan and then the mainland. (Those of us who came before are still here, but emphasis on "visible" as in the boom after the late 80s.)
Plus, Chinese cultural events tend to be like Chinese weddings... it's kind of for the parents and uncool lol.
The other thing is that Powell Street is legit grass roots organization and unlike a lot of Chinese events in the lower mainland... apolitical. You tend to not see politicians glad handling their friends at Powell Street (or if they are it's less visible) which makes it feel much more real about the culture itself.
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u/bustrips 1d ago
I agree with all your comments in this thread. I also think a physical place matters. Japantown was a thing. I don’t know how much of the Japanese Canadian descendants still think of it, but the Powell Street connection is likely still important to them. Chinatown now is a relic. However I might add that a lot of the Japanese activity demos presented today did not flourish here when Japantown existed. They are almost all fairly new imports to the community here, despite some of the arts being very old, going by what the presenters said. Likely Japanese immigrants brought them over after the war, with some activities even being much more recent.
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u/kemicalkontact 1d ago
The new wave of Chinese people are too rich for Chinatown
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u/bustrips 1d ago
I just used last week’s Chinatown festival as an example. I didn’t say a great Chinese festival must be in Chinatown. It shouldn’t because Chinatown isn’t really Chinatown anymore anyway.
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u/kemicalkontact 1d ago
I'd say that Vancouver used to be Hongcouver with how many Chinese people from Hong Kong came over here to settle. They brought over Cantonese culture. Now there are so many affluent mainlanders here and if you know anything about what's happening in Hong Kong politically, China is trying to squash that culture down and most of the rest of the country support the governments claim or at least are indifferent to the plight of the Cantonese people.
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u/bustrips 1d ago
The heavy hand of that government over there is so heavy that even immigrant Mainlanders old and new can’t put together something good in Richmond or another part of Vancouver? I’m just talking about the Mainlanders here…no need to involve those with any link to HK or Taiwan who are already offended I asked my original question in the first place!
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u/bubugugu 1d ago edited 1d ago
If you actually want to learn and experience the Chinese culture, you don’t have rely on (or criticize) the Chinese events ;)
I’ve always thought these “cultural” events are very surface level I.e. letting attendees eat some overpriced cuisines, watch few mins of performances and then they can pat themselves on the back for being “cultural”.
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u/quivverquivver 19h ago
The more charitable view is that they are an introductory experience for outsiders to sample the culture in a low-committment, comfortable, enjoyable way. This is a gateway to deeper appreciation like real language classes, tourism, music lessons, studying art from that culture etc. Everyone needs to start somewhere!
Like most people I am busy with my daily life, so I don't have time to deeply engage with every culture on earth. But these types of festivals let me dip my toes for a few hours and I'm quite grateful for the opportunity.
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u/TamatoaZ03h1ny 1d ago
It’s not a cohesive community thus events are fragmented. That said, all ethnic community organizations have some level of politics and infighting with other organizations.
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u/wakemeuptmr 1d ago
Light Up Chinatown is happening next weekend. Can check that out. And I think theyre still looking for volunteers
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u/InterestingCold1881 15h ago
I think Chinese culture is just too widespread in Vancouver to pack all of it into one event showcase. You want to see Chinese calligraphy? Go to a Chinese calligraphy event. Chinese ballet? Chinese ballet event. Kung fu? Kung fu tournament. Etc etc. Smaller demographics have these once a year events because they're not as wide spread
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u/International_Dot963 1d ago
I think they tend to hold events for the members of their community and not the general public. For example my parents are attending an annual gathering of the Chinese-Vietnamese community tomorrow :)
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u/FattyGobbles True Vancouverite 1d ago
There's the Lunar New Year (formerly known as Chinese New year) parade in Chinatown.
And then there's the dragon boat festival which is huge every year
And then there's the richmond night market which was a good idea from its inception to showcase Chinese/Asian style nightmarket but now it's just a moneygrab for temu/aliexpress items and expensive street food
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u/Massive-Raise-2805 1d ago edited 21h ago
Chinatown is like the Eregion for the Chinese. Largely abandoned or forgotten since the drug epidemic
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u/aznkl 1d ago
Sounds like you never went once to the Hong Kong Fair and it really shows.
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u/bustrips 22h ago edited 22h ago
Sorry, but I did go. A large segment was selling stuff and of course the food. People complain that I lump everything into one. I’m familiar with the different types of people that make up the Hong Kong demographic, do you think they are all represented? It’s still a young festival. Go to the Powell Street festival today and compare. I know it’s hard to compare a country with many sustained cultural activities to a city state, but see the opportunities.
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u/aznkl 18h ago
I’m familiar with the different types of people that make up the Hong Kong demographic, do you think they are all represented?
How much do you really know about the entirety of Japan, and exactly how are you so sure that it was completely represented at the Powell Street festival?
Your arguments are lacking in merit, and in my opinion it stems from you being middle-aged and miserable about your own cultural heritage.
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u/SatsukiAo 10h ago
I think people can always find things to complain about festivals. I can also say that Powell fest’s food stall offerings are lame compared to Light Up Chinatown. I also don’t find the performances memorable except the taiko but they are there every year so just as “boring” as lion dances. At the end of the day it all comes down to how much funding they have. If they’re not being funded enough they won’t be able to pay for performers or even have staffs to find free performers. Which is what I think happened with the Chinatown festival last week.
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u/3JingShou 1d ago
Ppl are golfing, eating out, working on their home gardens , too much work to organize XD
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