Chinese Cultural Centre (Calgary) facts for kids
Chinese Cultural Centre
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Established | 1992 |
|---|---|
| Location | Calgary, Alberta |
| Type | Cultural Centre |
The Chinese Cultural Centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a special building. It's found in the northeastern part of downtown. This amazing centre opened its doors in September 1992. It's a place where people can learn about Chinese culture and history.
Contents
Discover the Dr. Henry Fok Cultural Hall
The most important part of the centre is the Dr. Henry Fok Cultural Hall. This hall looks like the famous Hall of Prayers from the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China. Its ceiling is very high, about 70 feet (21 meters)! Look up and you'll see 561 dragons and 40 phoenixes decorating it.
Four large columns support the ceiling. They have shiny gold designs that stand for each of the four seasons. The outside of the dome is covered with beautiful blue tiles. These tiles came all the way from China. They were made by the same company that made tiles for the Temple of Heaven about 600 years ago during the Ming Dynasty. Workers put them on in a special traditional Chinese way.
What's Inside the Centre?
The Chinese Cultural Centre has many different areas for learning and fun.
Learning and Reading Areas
On the second level of the building, you'll find classrooms. Here, people can take classes to learn more about Chinese culture. There is also a library called the Orrin and Clara Christie Might Library. It has many books in both Chinese and English.
Main Level Attractions
The main floor is home to the impressive Dr. Henry Fok Cultural Hall. You can also find the Henry G.D. Chow auditorium here. This is a great space for performances and events. There is also a special facility for traditional Chinese medicine.
Lower Level Fun
If you go to the lower level, you can enjoy a restaurant. It serves delicious Chinese food. You will also find the Chinese Artifacts Museum there.
Explore the Chinese Artifacts Museum
The Chinese Artifacts Museum is located on the lower level of the centre. This museum tells many interesting stories.
Stories of Chinese Immigration
One part of the museum shares the story of Chinese immigration in Canada. You can learn about how Chinese people came to Canada. It also shows the history of the Chinese community right here in Calgary.
Amazing Artifact Replicas
The museum also has copies of many different kinds of Chinese artifacts. You can see replicas of the famous Terracotta warriors. There are also beautiful mahogany furniture sets. You can find ceramics, sculptures, and traditional Chinese clothing. Bronze pieces and art are also on display.
History of the Centre
People in Calgary wanted to improve the downtown area in 1982. The Chinese community wanted to keep their unique identity in Chinatown. So, the City of Calgary and local residents worked together. They made a plan to build a large cultural centre. This plan would help keep Chinatown special. It would also stop tall skyscrapers from taking over the area.
Everyone involved agreed on the plan. The building was officially opened in September 1992.
Events and Celebrations
The Chinese Cultural Centre hosts many events throughout the year. These events celebrate Chinese holidays and special occasions. You can often see exciting performances. These include traditional Chinese lion dances and Chinese opera shows. It's a great way to experience Chinese culture!
See also
- Chinatown, Calgary
- List of attractions and landmarks in Calgary
