Chinese Cultural Centre (Calgary) facts for kids
The Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre
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| Established | 1992 |
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| Location | Calgary, Alberta |
| Type | Cultural Centre |
The Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre is a special building in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, that celebrates Chinese culture. It's located near downtown Calgary and opened in September 1992. Its goal is to share Chinese traditions and history with everyone.
The most amazing part of the Centre is the Dr. Henry Fok Cultural Hall. Its design is based on the famous Hall of Prayers at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China. The ceiling is 70 feet (about 21 meters) high and is covered in incredible art. It features 561 dragons and 40 phoenixes, which are important symbols in Chinese culture.
Four large columns hold up the ceiling, and each one is decorated with gold to represent one of the four seasons. The roof is covered with beautiful blue tiles that were brought all the way from China. These tiles were made by the same company that created tiles for the real Temple of Heaven hundreds of years ago during the Ming Dynasty!
Inside the Centre, you can find classrooms and a library with books in both Chinese and English. The main floor has the Cultural Hall, an auditorium, and even a place that offers traditional Chinese medicine. There is also a restaurant and a museum on the lower level.
Explore the Chinese Artifacts Museum
On the lower level of the Centre, you can visit the Chinese Artifacts Museum. This museum tells the story of Chinese people who moved to Canada and helped build the community in Calgary.
The museum has many fascinating exhibits. You can see amazing copies of famous Chinese artifacts, such as:
- Terracotta Warriors: Replicas of the famous clay soldiers that guarded an ancient emperor's tomb.
- Furniture: A beautiful set of furniture made from mahogany wood.
- Art and Sculptures: Many different kinds of ceramics, bronze statues, and other works of art.
- Clothing: Examples of traditional Chinese clothing.
How the Centre Came to Be
Back in the 1980s, the city of Calgary was growing quickly. The people living in Chinatown were worried that new, tall skyscrapers would take over their unique neighborhood. They wanted to make sure their cultural identity was protected.
The community worked together with the city's planners. Instead of letting Chinatown shrink, they created a new plan. A key part of this plan was to build a large cultural centre to be a landmark for the community. Everyone agreed, and the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre was officially opened in September 1992.
Today, the Centre is a busy place that hosts many fun events and festivals throughout the year to celebrate Chinese holidays. You can watch exciting performances like traditional lion dances and Chinese opera.
See also
- Chinatown, Calgary
- List of attractions and landmarks in Calgary
