Chinese New Year celebrated in Saskatchewan
The dishes are being cooked up and the oranges are being stacked as people across Saskatchewan celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Celebrations have started around the world to welcome the Year of the Monkey. In Regina, Georgina Lee gathered with friends at a local restaurant.
"It's Chinese New Year's, so I thought I would have some dim sum with some friends who don't usually have dim sum," she said.
Lee was born in Hong Kong and moved to Canada in 1992. She said that the tradition is still very important.
"It means like a fresh start. Every year you just kind of clean off everything that happened the year before and start again. It brings luck to the New Year," she said.
Around 200 people were expected to gather at Souls Harbour Rescue Mission for a special dinner Sunday evening.
Dr. Im Ooi organized the dinner with help from 12 local Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants.
"It means a lot to us. In Chinese New Year we should share as much as we can," she said.
"Since we celebrate for 15 days, and we are probably eating for 15 days, one big meal with Souls Harbour is the least we can do."
Ooi said they were serving favourites like fried rice and spring rolls, but they were also handing out the traditional oranges and fortune cookies.
"Fortune cookies are a sign of prosperity and we want everyone to be prosperous," she said.
In Chinese astrology, the animal zodiac signs each have unique characteristics, and those born this year are said to be quick-witted, charming, lucky, lively, and smart.
