The Lion Dance Started at Our Door

Every year around National Day on October 1, Chinatown has a flag raising and a lion dance. This year, on September 26, the lion dance started at our door. Carmen, our owner, shared what the day means to her.

In Carmen's words

Raising the flag and the lion dance are the big event of National Day every year. It's a traditional program. And the lion dance carries its own meaning. It helps the Chinese shops around us gather wealth and bring in wealth, and it brings more life and more people to the street. That's our Chinese tradition too.

A huge crowd of tourists gathered, and lots of people were taking photos and checking in. It's a great cultural export. We promote Chinese culture, and we put it into real action.

From our door to the whole street

The team set up in front of the shop with two lions, a big drum, cymbals and a gong. Once the drum started, a crowd filled the street in a wide half circle around the lions.

From our storefront the lions went down the street, shop by shop. They danced in front of the Hung Mun building, and they even went inside a shopping mall. At each stop the lion went for the greens and the red envelope, a wish for good business to the shop. If you are curious what each step means, we wrote a short guide to cai qing.

After the last stop, everyone went to Kam Fung restaurant for a late lunch together. The sifu even took a photo with the restaurant owner.

The next generation

Many of the dancers are second generation Chinese Canadians. The youngest is fourteen. Some were out for their very first year, and some have performed many times. One of them is Carmen's daughter Wendy, who joined the team a year ago. Here is her story, in her own words.

What we believe in

Bringing the virtues and good traditions of Chinese culture into daily life is also something our shop has always held on to. Be a good person first, then do the work.

Fosetter is at 78 Rue De La Gauchetière Ouest in Montreal's Chinatown. Next time you hear the drums, come and find us. More about our shop.