May is Asian Heritage Month, and Markham Public Library is ready to celebrate with the rest of the city!
Whether you're a third-generation Asian Canadian, a newcomer, or simply eager to learn about Asian heritages, we welcome everyone to join us in learning and enjoying the special activities planned for May. Below is a curated lineup of events honouring Asian Heritage Month at Markham Public Library.
Asian Dramas and Movies
Celebrate Asian Heritage Month with AsianCrush on hoopla, a streaming service featuring a wide selection of popular Asian dramas and movies. Requires logging into Hoopla.
Asian Heritage Art Exhibit
Come and enjoy art created by community members of all ages from Markham who share Asian heritages and backgrounds. Alongside the art, the artists have explored what it means to be Asian to them and how their culture influences their lives.
Date: May 5 – May 30, 2025
Location: Aaniin Library
Live Painting Performance
Experience a live painting performance by artist Ariba Memon! Watch as Ariba brings a piece to life that pays tribute to her Pakistan’s culture and its beauty. Patrons are welcome to ask her questions about her artwork and creative journey.
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Aaniin Library, first floor, by the staircase
Registration Here
Dance Performance & Lesson
Join us for a special Chinese dance performance to celebrate Asian Heritage Month. The performance will also be followed by a free dance lesson, so don't forget to bring your dancing shoes!
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Milliken Mills Branch
Registration Here
Plain Tea and Murukku
Join us to enjoy plain tea and murukku while enjoying the game of cards, loodo, carom, and other activities with other older adults. This program is in partnership with the Federation of Tamil Canadians collaborating with Boxgrove Wellness Club.
Date: Sunday, May 18, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Aaniin Branch
Chinese Canadians: Exploring the Power of Civic Engagement
Hosted by Elections Canada, join us for an open conversation about the history of Chinese Canadians and their incredible contributions to our history!
Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Markham Village Library, first floor program room
Registration Here
Tending to our Inner Gardens Guided Nature Walk & Mandala-Making Workshop
Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Unionville Library
Registration Here
Finding Oblivion: Discovering the Stories of Chinese Canadian Soldiers in World War 2
During the Second World War, thirteen Chinese Canadians were recruited for a top-secret mission to infiltrate parts of Japanese-occupied Asia to train local resistance groups. This mission was called "Operation Oblivion". They risked life and limb to serve their country, but after they returned to Canada, their contributions were forgotten. Join award-winning researcher Eunice C. Der to learn about the untold stories of Chinese Canadians in the Second World War. Learn about how they were recruited, what they did in the military, and how their legacy impacts us today.
Date: Saturday May 24, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location: Angus Glen Library, second floor fireside lounge
Registration Here
Voting Rights through Time: Japanese Canadian Case Study
The right to vote has not always existed for everyone in Canada. For a long time, voting was seen as a privilege and certain groups in the population were excluded at different times. Hosted by Elections Canada, come join us and learn about Japanese Canadian history through the lens of civic engagement!
Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Cornell Library, second floor program room
Registration Here
Tamil Stories, Songs and Fun
Mini Tamil stories, songs and fun in Tamil. Federation of Tamil Canadians in partnership with Middlefield Tamil Seniors will be facilitating a Tamil reading program for younger children between the ages of 4 and 10.
Looking for celebration activities of Asian Heritage Month outside of Markham Public Library?
The Welcome Market is hosting an outdoor Asian-owned business market at Mel Lastman Square! An outdoor celebration of Toronto’s vibrant Asian community on Saturday, May 10 from 12 PM to 9 PM - Learn more here
If you know any other celebrations for Asian Heritage Month in Markham or around, please let us know in the comment!
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