The Chinese-American Family Coalition (CAFC) hosted its annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration on June 9th at the Fair Lawn Community Center. Under the theme of “Unite Our Voices By Speaking Together”, the successful celebration consisted of exciting events and panels in which guests experienced Chinese traditional art and culture.
This year’s celebration featured Chinese teas and an art show/auction with over 200 artworks by Chinese artists, including calligraphy printings, silk embroidery, and ink paintings. Part of the proceeds from the art auction were dedicated to Rutgers Against Hunger (RAH), a Rutgers University initiative to provide services and relief to families suffering from food insecurity in New Jersey. The evening Gala show featured Chinese musical numbers and dance performances by CAFC members and students of CAFC’s cultural classes. YARU Academy students performed “Disciple Rules”, with their teacher Ms. Sharon Liu on the Guzheng as accompaniment. Their recitation mirrors the type of vocal learning done by students in ancient China, and is a hallmark of the YARU Academy’s unique teaching style. Mr. Huang Xiang, a multi-nominee for the Nobel Prize in Literature, passionately recited his insightful and thought-provoking poems, with English translations provided by Ms. Judy Manton.
Honored guests in attendance included New Jersey Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson and Fair Lawn Mayor John Cosgrove, both who spoke at the event and praised the work of CAFC, along with Fair Lawn Deputy Mayor Amy Lefkowitz, Fair Lawn Councilmember Marc Zharnest, and a representative from Bergen County Executive James Tedesco’s office. The charity auction was possible thanks to the generous art donations from artists like Mr. Huang Xiang, Mr. Zhang Liang, and Mr. Dayuan Liao. The writer Ms. Lin Shiyu was also present at the event to sign copies of her book “美国岁月 (Lives of Chinese in America)”.
CAFC has had much experience hosting APAHM events for the community and for local and federal government officials. Its partnership with RAH for this year’s festival is a part of CAFC’s greater efforts to establish a new era of Chinese-American relations—one that promotes positive interactions with the broader community and that prioritizes community service. CAFC strives to counter the mainstream impression that Chinese Americans do not engage in or care about social issues. By hosting community events like the APAHM celebration, CAFC provides forums where people of all backgrounds can gather and engage in a culture they may have had little exposure to.
Several calligraphy printings showcased at the event, one of which was donated by Mr. Huang Xiang, are still available for sale, and proceeds will be donated to RAH. For more information about these printings or CAFC’s charitable work, please visit www.cafc-us.org, or contact us at info@cafc-us.org.
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The CAFC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational, cultural and charitable services to Chinese Americans. Its mission is to foster beneficial, intercultural exchanges between Chinese families and their local communities.
