China News Service Toronto, February 18 (Reporter Yu Ruidong) On the evening of February 17, as one of the series of "Happy New Year" activities in Toronto, Canada, a unique youth ice Spring Festival Gala kicked off with the drumbeat of the opening drum "Chinese Fan".
Accompanied by Chinese-style music, the ice blade arcs on the ice rink, and the cuffs of the skirt flutter and dance. Dragon dancers and lion dancers shuttle and spin on the ice from time to time to the sound of drums. Children's dances, Hanfu shows, and Peking Opera characters appeared on the ice one by one. In figure skating and ice dancing performances, young dancers jump, lift, and switch formations in the spotlight. The audience cheered.
This is the second consecutive year that the Canada-China Sports and Cultural Exchange Center and the North American Youth Ice Hockey Federation have hosted the Toronto Youth Ice Spring Festival Gala. The line-up includes figure skating teams and individuals who have won Canadian national championships or international competitions.
Before the start of the theatrical performance, a junior ice hockey match was held. The 11- to 14-year-old Chinese youth hockey players of the North American Youth Hockey Federation's "Future Stars" ice hockey team take turns to compete in groups according to their age groups.
Han Jinwen, chairman of the organizing committee of the party, told reporters that the content of this year's Youth Spring Festival Gala is richer, focusing on reflecting Chinese cultural elements, and the difficulty has been upgraded and innovation has increased. At the same time, the event is not only for Chinese, but also attracts more friends of all ethnic groups to participate. She said that the Spring Festival has become a festival in the world. We hope to follow in the footsteps of the Beijing Winter Olympics and better promote ice sports through the combination of modern sports methods and Chinese traditions, so that more friends can understand Chinese culture.
Yang Meijuan, the artistic director of the party and a former Chinese female figure skater, said that she hoped that the evening would allow local teenagers to increase their self-confidence and learn more about Chinese culture. At the same time, it will promote bilateral cultural exchanges between Canada and China.
Sports represented by ice hockey unite us, and Chinese culture and folk traditions unite us. Luo Weidong, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Toronto, said in his speech that China and Canada have always maintained good exchanges in ice sports. The development of China-Canada relations is rooted in the people, the hope of the people, and the future of the youth. It is hoped that the Chinese and Canadian people will forge the deepest friendship through sports and cultural exchanges. It is hoped that the youth ice hockey team players will become ambassadors to promote China-Canada friendship.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a congratulatory letter to the Spring Festival Gala on Ice. People from all walks of life such as politics, business, culture and education attended the event. At the same time, the organizers commended the "Outstanding Contributors to Ice and Snow Sports", "Ice Hockey Promotion Ambassadors" and "2023 Honorary Coaches". (ENDS).