Markham Public Library Celebrates Asian Heritage Month

Happy Asian Heritage Month! The month of May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, and was designated as such, officially in 2002 by the Government of Canada. During this month, Canadians commemorate the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian descent. It is also a time to celebrate the many cultures and histories that exist in Asia as well as in our community.

MPL is celebrating Asian Heritage Month with a number of events and activities:

VIRTUAL EVENTS

Classical Indian Singing Lecture
May 5 | 7 PM | ZOOM
Join us for a special Asian Heritage Month lecture on Classical Indian Singing by award-winning singer, Gauri Guha.
Gauri Guha is an established and highly acclaimed professional North Indian classical vocalist and recipient of many grants from the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council.

Bringing Classical Western Music to China
May 12 | 7 PM | ZOOM
In the late 1930s, Shanghai was the only major city in the world that didn’t require visas or financial guarantees for Jewish refugees. During the peak of influx of refugees, approximately 30,000 Central European Jews fled Nazi persecution and resettled in Shanghai. One of them was Austrian violinist Ferdinand Adler. Not only did he find a safe haven in Shanghai, but he also established a successful career as the concertmaster of the Shanghai Municipal Orchestra – today’s Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. He appreciated the safe haven afforded him, and was willingly giving back to the community that hosted them. Little did he know, several orphans he taught later became the backbone of China’s National Symphony. And decades later, the son of one of his students embarks on a journey to find out about him.

Partner Violence during COVID-19
May 13 | 7 PM | ZOOM
It is Asian Heritage Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The Women's Support Network will be speaking about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and resources available in the community. They will also be discussing IPV in the Asian community.

Storytimes

Cantonese Songs & Stories
May 13 | 10 AM | ZOOM
Join us for a fun-filled session of Cantonese Songs & Stories! Help your child develop early literacy and language skills through songs and rhymes. Just tune in to our Facebook Live at 10:00 AM every other Tuesday!

Cantonese Songs & Stories
May 25 | 10 AM | ZOOM
Join us for a fun-filled session of Cantonese Songs & Stories! Help your child develop early literacy and language skills through songs and rhymes. Just tune in to our Facebook Live at 10:00 AM every other Tuesday!

Mandarin Songs & Stories
Wednesdays | 10 AM | ZOOM
Join us for a fun-filled session of Mandarin Songs & Stories! Help your child develop early literacy and language skills. Just tune in to our Facebook Live at 10:00 AM on every other Wednesday!

Fun Yoga Storytime for Little Mandarin Learners
Tuesdays |4:30 PM | ZOOM
Join us for a fun filled 45 minutes of stories and songs in Mandarin. In each session, Maggie Duan, from YogaTime, shares fun stories followed by some yoga fun designed to complement the story. The session ends with a show and tell where participants are invited to show and talk about an object of their choosing.

READING LISTS:

BLOGS TO READ:

How to Celebrate Asian Heritage Month with Kids 
How You Can Help Stop Anti-East Asian Racism
Fun Activities To Celebrate Asian Heritage Month 

We welcome your respectful and on-topic comments and questions in this limited public forum. To find out more, please see Appropriate Use When Posting Content. Community-contributed content represents the views of the user, not those of Markham Public Library