Acknowledgements

"Dear Friends: I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone taking part in the 2022 explorASIAN Festival. This festival, held each year during Asian Heritage Month, offers Canadians of all backgrounds an opportunity to explore the richness and diversity of Asian arts and culture and to learn more about the many contributions that Canadian Asian communities have made, and continue to make, to our nation in all fields of endeavour. I am certain that everyone in attendance will enjoy the many activities planned for this year's showcase. It continues to be a challenging time for planning and hosting events. That is why I would like to thank the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society for their hard work and dedication in ensuring this year's festival could still take place. Canada is truly a multicultural nation, made stronger and more resilient by our diversity. Please accept my best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable experience. Sincerely, "

"As Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, it is my great honour to recognize Asian Heritage Month, marking the myriad contributions that Canadians of Asian descent have made throughout the history of our country and province. In 1988, the Honourable David Lam became the 25th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and the first Asian-Canadian Lieutenant Governor in Canada. Dr. Lam was familiar with the unique challenges faced by those who choose to leave their homelands, as he immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong in the 1960s. He became devoted to philanthropical endeavours in his new home of British Columbia, including the founding of the beloved Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival. The legacy of Dr. Lam endures alongside the cultural influences of many other distinct Asian communities in British Columbia. From Sikh celebrations of Vaisakhi, the largest outside of India, to the footprints of Chinatowns throughout the province, o the Powell Street Festival cultivating Japanese-Canadian arts and culture these are but a few examples of the heritage and traditions that have taken root to find their place in the multicultural tapestry of BC. While the history of Asian-Canadians in British Columbia has not come without the challenges of racism, discrimination and displacement, Carol Lee, Chair of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, says "only by looking back into our history can we understand that our resilience must [be rooted] ...in the courage to imagine a better, more inclusive future." She describes the cultural foundations of Chinatown as a place where resilience encompasses more than overcoming adversity-rather, it is about "creating a better reality for each other and the next generation." I salute the work of the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society for bringing these diverse histories forward, both in celebration and commemoration. The next generation will only benefit from their devotion to the preservation of these important experiences. "

"As the MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake, I am pleased to offer this congratulatory letter to the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society's 26th annual explorASIAN Festival. This event showcases the artistic and cultural diversity that Asian Canadian communities bring to Canadian society. Diversity and multiculturalism are what make our province such a beautiful and welcoming place, and the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society (VAHMS) is a fantastic example of this. By hosting this festival each year, we are given a chance to honour the growing communities of Pan-Asian heritage and their rich, vibrant history in Canada. I am proud to support the VAHMS, and I am grateful for their partnership as we grow and unite our community together. I am excited for more people to learn about VAHM's work. I hope to see VAHM continue their work for many years to come. Please accept my sincerest thank for your incredible work, and warmest wishes for a successful festival! "