ST. LOUIS — The Missouri Botanical Garden was alive with the sights and sounds of Chinese culture during the Chinese Culture Days Festival. The annual celebration occurs during the first weekend of May, which also happens to be the start of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
“Culture is meant to be shared, you know, we just want to introduce the Chinese culture to our friends,” Chinese Culture Days chairman Matthew Yu said.
This was the 30th year of the festival, with Chinese performers, cooks and demonstrators coming out to showcase Chinese culture. The founders of the festival share the same vision as Yu and others on the board: to share with those who want to learn.Â
“Thirty-two years ago, they came up with an idea,” Yu said. “‘How do we continue our traditions and culture here in Missouri?'”
That ideal has led to numerous festivals and thousands of people over the years coming to the gardens to learn and experience the culture.
“It’s important to be open and receptive to the gifts that other people have to offer us,” Leah Silberman said. Silberman has attended multiple festivals at the garden from all different cultures.
“We need to know each other,” Silberman said. “We need to put aside our anxiety and fear and make friends.”Â
With some of the performers, seeing the attendees excited about Chinese culture makes it more enjoyable for them while on stage.Â
“Us performing, they see it and it’s part of our culture, and they see it and they care,” Lisa Shen said. “So, it just makes us feel good.”
Shen is a young performer who helped control a Chinese dragon during a demonstration.
“It demonstrates our culture because of the bright colors and the dragons,” Shen said. “It’s more like a dance.”
Selena Yang is also a young performer, but her skill involved showing forms from the Chinese martial art kung fu.Â
“Power and culture and tradition are a part of Chinese heritage,” Yang said.Â
Missouri Botanical Garden provides on its website each year for when the festival will take place.
