Description

In Chinese, the free-standing arch or gateway named ‘Paifang’ or ‘Pailou’ is a symbol of passage. The ‘arch’ was commonly used in structures since ancient times and traveled across time and oceans to reemerge as constructs of architectural symbols and bridges. In Chinatowns across the globe, the ‘arch’ can be found as a synonymous representation or association in relation to China. Chinatowns were once considered static communities, groups of ethnic Chinese clustered in their familiar neighbourhoods -but as we revisit these areas of passage for Chinese immigrants and their families, this once static community brings out compelling and moving discourse. Covering topics on overseas Chinese community leadership and power structure, the effects of co-ethnic clustering of immigrants concerning economic resources, co-ethnic preferences, and the use of co-ethnic information sources, to the challenges of social integration of Chinese immigrants and the implications of the Canadian Multicultural Policy, the Chinese ‘arch’ also represents the social movements of the immigration experience.

Followed by a gift donation ceremony with Dr. David Chuenyan Lai, and light refreshment.