Time: Saturday, November 1, 3:00-5:00 PM
Location:
Ottawa U. Hamelin Hall 257, 70 Laurier Avenue East Ottawa

Festival Period:
November 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026
Locations:
Ottawa Chinese Language Schools, community centres, and cultural venues
Contact: syrg4cclub@gmail.com

Features:
Arts, Peking Opera, Folk Music, Sword Dance

Activities:
Games & interactions with local Chinese school students (junior and high school)
Bonus: Gifts and prizes!

For thousands of years, whether in the agrarian heartland of central China or the nomadic tribes of the northwest, horses have always been loyal companions to humankind, closely intertwined with daily life. They played vital roles in agriculture, transportation, warfare, and communication, and have been immortalized in countless works of literature, painting, and sculpture — symbols of humanity’s deep admiration for these noble creatures.

In traditional Chinese culture, the horse symbolizes vitality and speed — a representation of strength, beauty, loyalty, righteousness, and optimism. Idioms such as “the spirit of the dragon and horse” (龙马精神), “instant success” (马到成功), “to take the lead” (一马当先), “a thousand horses galloping” (万马奔腾), and “meritorious service” (汗马功劳) reflect the Chinese people’s values, aspirations, and aesthetic ideals.

The year 2026 marks the Year of the Horse in the Chinese lunar calendar (Bingwu Year). As written in The Book of Songs (Shijing · Xiaoya · Jiri): “On this auspicious Gengwu day, I ready my horse,” signifying both good fortune and a spirited drive toward progress.

Let culture take the reins, art gallops forward, and generations learn together!

The 2nd Ottawa Youth Chinese Cultural Festival takes “Spirit of the Zodiac – Year of the Horse” as its theme, inviting youth, families, and artistic mentors to co-create across generations. Through eight artistic workshops — including traditional painting, calligraphy, paper-cutting, poetry and storytelling, music, opera, digital art, and martial arts & tai chi — as well as three major exhibitions and an annual Zodiac Painting Competition, young participants will not only explore traditional Chinese arts but also teach elders new digital and AI-based creative skills, fostering intergenerational learning.

主题 | 万马奔腾 · 龙马精神 —— 传承与创新的跨文化艺术之旅

人类数千年来，无论是中原的农耕社会，还是西北的游牧部落，马一直是人类的朋友，与生活紧密相连。它们在农业生产、交通运输、战争征伐及邮驿传播中扮演着重要角色，也在典籍、绘画、雕塑等艺术形式中留下了无数经典形象，折射出人们对马的喜爱。

作为传统文化中灵动和速度的象征，马不仅代表力量与美感，更承载忠诚、正义与乐观向上的精神。诸如“龙马精神”“马到成功”“一马当先”“万马奔腾”“汗马功劳”等词语，体现了汉民族独特的价值追求、心理期盼与审美趣味。

2026年是中国农历丙午马年，《诗经·小雅·吉日》中记载：“吉日庚午，既差我马”，意指庚午吉日是跃马出猎的良辰，也象征奋发向上的精神风貌。

让文化为马，让艺术奔腾，让跨代共学！第二届青少年中华文化艺术节以“生肖之灵 · 马年精神”为主题，邀请青少年、家庭长者和艺术导师们共创。通过国画、书法、剪纸、诗词故事、音乐、戏曲、数码艺术与武术太极等八大工作坊，以及三大展览和年度生肖绘画比赛，青年们不仅学习传统文化，也通过数字艺术与AI创作教长辈们新技能，实现跨代共学。