Event Report: Nov 2nd, 2024
Edmonton Chinese Writing Club Celebrates 15 Years and Launches New Book by Mr. Genji Jiao
Reporter: Roxanne Riemer
The Edmonton Chinese Writing Club (ECWC) celebrated its 15th anniversary with a vibrant event dedicated to literature and cultural connections. Hosted at Action for Healthy Communities (AHC), the gathering showcased the launch of My Journey Around the World (China Chapter) by Edmonton author Genji Jiao, interwoven with performances, speeches, and activities celebrating the club’s rich legacy.
The event began with speeches from community leaders underscored the significance of ECWC’s contributions. Councillor Jennifer Rice and Canada-China Friendship Association President Mr. Junqiang Ma shared insights into the importance of cultural engagement and cross-cultural awareness. Their words reinforced ECWC’s mission to foster community bonds through shared stories and perspectives.
Ms. Wencui Zhang from USANA and Maria Lucila from AHC, as fund donors, extended their congratulations and best wishes for the continued advancement of ECWC.
The celebration of ECWC’s 15th anniversary began with a series of video messages from the founding president of ECWC, Ms. Quanyan Liu who shared her greetings and the early history since 2019. It followed by a heartfelt retrospective on the club’s seven-year journey presented by former president Ms. Yanyu Zhou. President Ying Shi highlighted ECWC’s recent history and ongoing projects that continue to bring writers and readers together in the spirit of multiculturalism.
The program then moved to presentations by the current leadership team, including Vice President Wencui Zhang, Xi Gui, Roxanne Riemer, and Xiaodong Wen, who outlined the club’s ongoing programs and services.
The new book released by Mr. Genji Jiao was a focal point, with the author sharing reflections on the journey that inspired the book and reading an excerpt for the audience. Mr. Shouliang Dong, a long-term friend, fondly commemorates Mr. Jiao’s diverse talents and extraordinary achievements across so many fields such as business, literature, photographing, and community service.
Many of Mr. Jiao’s friends attended the event to celebrate with him. They contributed funds and delicious food, and a representative of the group gave a heartfelt speech.
A book signing followed, allowing attendees to connect personally with the author.
Mr. Jiao’s life is indeed inspiring! His journey, filled with resilience and achievement, shines as a testament to his strength and dedication. Starting from humble beginnings and overcoming various challenges, he has not only survived but thrived, achieving numerous awards over the years. His latest publication, My Journey Around the World (China Chapter), written at 84, encapsulates his extraordinary life and experiences, offering wisdom and inspiration to readers. His tenure as a former board member of ECWC further highlights his commitment and impact.
The Seniors Small Band led by Mr. Zheng Hong provided lively musical performances while guests explored booths offering ECWC membership information, book sales, and other business. This is not the first time that the band collaborated with ECWC in co-hosting events. Their partnership added a dynamic, community-oriented element to the gathering.
Acknowledgements were given to the club’s many volunteers, with gratitude expressed by guests and community representatives.
Over 50 people attended the event. It was a resounding success, celebrating ECWC’s member’s success and its15 years of dedication to literature, community, and cultural evolution.
活动报道：2024年11月2日
爱城笔友会欢庆十五周年庆典暨焦根基新书发布会
翻译：温孝东
爱城笔友会于2024年11月2日在健康社区行动中心（AHC）成功举办了一场别开生面的庆典活动，庆祝成立十五周年并推出了本地作家焦根基先生的新书《我的环球之旅（中国篇）》。活动内容丰富，到场嘉宾热烈致辞，盛赞笔友会成立十五年来取得的成绩；部分与会代表也纷纷发言，盛赞笔友会的发展成果；活动期间还有精彩的文艺表演和笔友会的成就展示，充分展现了笔友会多年来在文化传承与交流中的重要作用。
活动伊始，多位华人社区代表发表了热情洋溢的讲话，突显出笔友会在文化建设中的贡献。市议员Jennifer Rice和加中友好协会会长马君强先生分别表达了对文化参与和跨文化理解重要性的见解，进一步凸显了爱城笔友会通过共享故事的视角来促进社区关系的使命。此外，作为本次活动基金捐赠方USANA的张文翠女士和AHC的 Maria Lucila女士，分别致以热烈祝贺并祝愿笔友会进一步发展。
庆典正式开始后，笔友会通过一系列视频展示了十五年来的发展历程。创会会长刘全艳女士分享了她的贺词，并回顾了2009年以来笔友会的早期历史。接下来，前会长周艳玉女士对在其任职会长七年间的发展历程进行了真情回顾。现任会长石英女士则重点介绍了笔友会近期的发展和正在进行的多元文化项目。随后，笔友会理事会的副会长张文翠、秘书长桂西、理事Roxanne Riemer和温孝东进一步介绍了笔友会的活动项目和服务。
焦根基先生的新书发布成为此次活动的焦点之一。焦先生与观众分享了他创作的灵感和心路历程。大家收听了书中的精彩片段。他多年来的好友董守良先生也到场，深情回顾了焦先生在商业、文学、摄影和社区服务等领域的多才多艺与所取得的成就。焦先生的众多好友也到场祝贺，并捐赠了活动基金和美味的餐食。其中一位代表发言表达了他们对焦先生的深切敬意。随后，焦先生举行了签售会，与在场读者进行亲切交流。
焦根基先生的一生可谓令人鼓舞。他从平凡的起点出发，克服种种挑战，取得了非凡的成就，并多次获得奖项。他的新书《我的环球之旅（中国篇）》是他在84岁高龄时所著，内容饱含他的人生经历和智慧，带给读者无限启迪和鼓舞。作为爱城笔友会前理事会成员，他对笔友会的贡献和影响不言而喻。
由洪铮先生领队的枫韵乐队为庆典带来了生动的音乐演出，现场还设有多个展台，提供笔友会会员信息、书籍销售以及相关业务展示。这并非枫韵乐队首次与笔友会合作举办活动，他们的参与为活动增添了活力与社区互动的氛围。
活动接近尾声时，笔友会向众多志愿者表达了感谢。来宾与社区代表也纷纷致辞表达感激之情。
共有50多位嘉宾出席，此次活动取得了圆满成功！它充分展示了爱城笔友会十五年来在文学、社区和文化传承方面的贡献和成就。