On June 20, 2026, while dragon boats raced on the Ottawa River under the summer sun, another warm gathering unfolded in the quiet woods at the Kanata Chinese Seniors Support Centre. KCSSC and Ottawa Chinese Language School (OCLS) jointly hosted a cultural gathering filled with family affection, laughter, music, and community spirit.
The air seemed to carry the fragrance of bamboo leaves and the atmosphere of the Dragon Boat Festival. This first joint cultural gathering by KCSSC and OCLS brought together Dragon Boat Festival traditions and Father's Day gratitude.
A large Peking Opera mask on stage, banners celebrating Chinese culture, and the blessing of a peaceful Dragon Boat Festival created a festive setting. A red drum at centre stage became the special prop for a lively pass-the-flower game, where guests shared stories about fathers, family values, and life memories between performances.
The program opened with guzheng music by Sylvia Yu, who performed Fighting the Typhoon and I Love You, China. Her elegant stage presence and confident technique brought a graceful start to the afternoon. Afterward, Sylvia thanked her parents for years of support, rides, and companionship, a simple but moving Father's Day moment.
Teacher Li Xueyan then performed the Huangmei Opera piece Clear Wind Ripples the Lake Water, bringing the gentleness and lyricism of Jiangnan to the room. Mr. Xie Fumao later delighted the audience with flute solos including Waves of Honghu Lake and One Plum Blossom, choosing different flutes for each melody and filling the room with familiar hometown sounds.
Ms. Chai Jufen performed the Xinjiang song Hulimaitang, filling the stage with bright energy. Four seniors sang and danced with light steps and radiant spirit, showing their love of life and warmth toward the audience.
Xiaorui and Xiaojun, two active community arts enthusiasts, performed the guzheng duet Elephant King Walks. Their qipao costumes, refined coordination, and powerful music carried the audience into the majestic mood of traditional Chinese instrumental art. Xiaorui also performed Peking Opera Butterflies Flying, and her husband Xu Yi presented a Chen-school Peking Opera excerpt, earning warm applause.
During the interactive sharing, guests spoke about fathers: a father carrying a sick child to the hospital late at night, the hardships of a father's younger years, small family memories, and life lessons passed down quietly. The stories reminded everyone that fathers may not always speak gently or often, but they stand as steady protectors and guides.
Mr. Hao Jigui reflected that people should love their country, love their family, and also love themselves, a thought that resonated with many guests. Fathers are among the most important people in our lives; their words and actions often become coordinates for our own journeys.
Lingxi and Haiyang sang Orchid Grass, adapted from a poem by Hu Shi, expressing waiting, devotion, and cherishing what we love. Wang Xiang recited Qu Yuan's Jiu Ge: National Sacrifice, honoring the Dragon Boat Festival's traditional remembrance of the great patriotic poet.
Haiyang and Wang Wei's duet Father became one of the afternoon's emotional highlights. Their newly formed "Zongzi Brothers" duo, inspired by the familiar "Chopstick Brothers," delivered a heartfelt performance that brought tears to Haiyang's father and a long round of applause from the audience.
The event closed with a poetry recitation of Father by teachers Hao Jigui, Zhang Xinhua, and Wang Yuxin. After the program, guests continued to enjoy the warmth of the gathering, with KCSSC preparing freshly cooked zongzi for everyone.
May every father be seen, understood, and respected. May every Dragon Boat Festival be filled with sincere songs, warm laughter, and the happiness of family togetherness.
