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Happy Chinese New Year 

The Year of the Rat starts off the Chinese zodiac and is considered lucky for those born under the sign of leadership, victory, charm and hard work.

Pierrette Wong described the auspicious sign at a Feb. 7 New Year’s celebration, part of a series of events marking the 70th anniversary of Norman Bethune’s departure from Montreal to China.

In addition to Wong, who was the guest of honour, Concordia invited Zhai Jianjun, First Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Canada, as well as representatives of the municipal government, downtown community and cultural groups and campus. Clarence Epstein, of the President’s Office, opened the event.

The city was represented by Ville Marie Borough Mayor Benoit Labonté and executive committee member Marcel Tremblay. Tremblay credited Concordia with the idea to use this anniversary to celebrate both Bethune and Montreal’s ongoing relationship with China.

Bethune’s statue normally stands at the corner of Guy and De Maisonneuve, in the heart of Quartier Concordia. The site is undergoing major changes and the first phase of the renewed Place Norman Bethune will be in place next fall. That event will coincide with a related exhibit at the FOFA Gallery.

President Michael Di Grappa outlined the relationship between Concordia and China, stretching back to exchange programs established in the 1970s. This term, we have over 700 Chinese visa students, some with scholarships financed by alumni and corporate partners overseas.

“Through my own visits to China, it is clear that Dr. Norman Bethune is still present in the hearts of the people,” Di Grappa said.

Those at the event saw some of the remarkable work Bethune accomplished in China through a short clip from the 1964 National Film Board documentary Bethune.

The event ended with a reception comprising Chinese tea, desserts and small gifts.