"I bring my daughter, my step-daughter and my mother-in-law. So we're excited to watch this tonight."

 

　　Rudy Gao, President of Canada-China Cultural Development Association, says Carnival China Style 2013 is a high-end variety show coming directly from China. This magnificent production features amazing Chinese acrobats, beautiful dancing and dazzling magic. This is the sixth consecutive year that the variety show is coming to Canada and has become a unique part of the local Chinese New Year celebrations.

 

　　"Many of overseas Chinese are at their 30s and 40s. They had been living in Canada for several years. They have developed this nostalgic sentiment towards their cultural roots back in China. Meanwhile, most of the performers are top-level artists and entertainers from China. That has made it even more attractive to the Chinese community here."

 

　　According to Mr. Gao, Carnival China Style 2013 will travel to seven major Canadian cities and put on nine shows from Feb. 16th to March 4th. To the extravagant array of balancing acts and beautiful Chinese ballet and magic, a live orchestra has been added to the stage this year. And the cooperation between Canadian cellist Vincent Belanger and Chinese musicians is no doubt one of the highlights.

 

　　Mr. Belanger is very proud to be the first Canadian cellist at perform with China's top artists.

 

　　"In 2011, I was in China for one month and I met a lot of Chinese musicians. As you said it's a great honor."

 

　　Carnival China Style 2013 is not just a celebration for the local Chinese community as they welcome the arrival of Chinese lunar New Year. Lin Difu, Minister Counsellor of Culture from the Chinese Embassy, points out that over the last several years, more than half of the audience to Carnival China style variety show is local residents from other ethnic groups.

 

　　"The Spring Festival is a very special occasion. Nowadays, in some western countries, politicians, including government officials, are paying more attention to the local Chinese communities. They are very active in taking part in these China-related events, because it provides them the opportunity to learn more about China and the local Chinese community."

 

　　Proceedings of the show in Ottawa will go to a local medical foundation. Lin Difu, the Chinese diplomat, notes that charity is a very important part of the Canadian life. While the Chinese, including the overseas Chinese, are preserving their traditional virtue of "doing good and accumulating merits", they're more than willing to provide a helping hand to their local communities and make the Spring Festival a meaningful occasion for everybody.

 

　　For China Radio International, this is Xiaohong, reporting from Ottawa, Canada.