Canadians celebrate the year of the sheep

Chinese New Year

Canadians have been celebrating the Year of the Sheep.
Events across Canada have been showcasing Chinese art, culture and, of course, food!
CCTV’s Kristiaan Yeo filed this report from Toronto.

With its thick, wool coat, the sheep is better prepared than most animals for the harsh Canadian winter.

But the sheep, like thousands of Canadians, have been braving the elements and flocking to ceremonies marking Chinese New Year. Events are being held across Canada celebrating the Year of the Sheep and Toronto, Canada’s largest city is no exception. After all more than half-a-million people of Chinese decent call it home.

Lunarfest is an assortment of Asian-inspired cultural events. From the dance of the dragon to the tasty dumpling and plenty of Sheep-inspired art in between, it is a festival that aims to appeal to Canadians from all walks of life.
“As a Canadian of Chinese decent it is a very important time of year for us. It’s very important to bring in the New Year properly, spend it with family and Toronto’s a fantastic place for that,” said one attendee.

The sheep may be front and center this year, but for Curator Charlie Wu, the bigger picture is about getting Canadians as involved in Chinese New Year as they do in Christmas or Thanksgiving.

“It’s a good way to get people engaged with the sheep designed the way it is and the installation and the engagement part of it. People are happy to take pictures and share with their friends and that’s what the celebration is all about, sharing that happiness with their friends,” said Charlie Wu, lunarfest curator.

As Canadians flocked to see the Year of the Sheep, the team behind this year’s events is now looking ahead to the 2016 Year of the Monkey.