LUNAR NEW YEAR INTERVIEW SERIES: Traei Tsai
Traei Tsai is an actress, author, model, and Vice-President of BC Minorities in Film and Television. Since 2009, her career in both the private and public sectors has raised continuous awareness about social issues impacting visible minorities in Canada. See more of Traei’s work here.
What do Lunar New Year celebrations look like for you?
“Growing up in Taiwan, we always celebrate with families. I am originally from Taipei and the city would just shut down during the New Year Holidays. You could try to go outside, and most stores would be closed because they have taken the rare time off to celebrate with families. As a kid, I enjoyed receiving red pockets or “lai see”, which is a red envelope full of money (usually given by adults, parents, relatives, grandparents) to children. The children would be very excited and save that up to buy things or candies they liked. Here in Canada, I generally celebrate with family and friends during Chinese New Year over tasty food. Over the years, I have noticed that Chinese New Year has become more commonplace for other cultures as well, apparent in themes in the mall, ads on buses, and colour choices used for commercial/ads. I think this is great to support because by doing so, it encourages others to better understand and welcome it.”
Why is it important for our unions and workplaces to be aware of cultural celebrations on top of the training and awareness work already being done?
No one works in isolation, and we are constantly working with diverse people and groups, and we are all shaped by our social conditioning, culture, and environment. By working on training and awareness, we tie in cultural awareness and intelligence. By becoming more aware, we nurture understanding, appreciation, sharing of values.
There has been much change and awareness in our industry already. I am excited that the more we talk about this and the more we share, we are continuously expanding not only the vision of diversity but actually practicing it. What I look forward to is opening and building bridges around the globe to invite and connect diversity and inclusion together. The industry is growing, and it is great to welcome new skills, new talent, and new visions.
Food is so important in Asian culture, and eating together is often one of the first ways we deepen relationships with people in our lives. Do you have a favourite recipe or restaurant recommendation you’d like to share for Lunar New Year this year?
FOOD. I love food. I am a total foodie and Vancouver is such a special place in the globe for this. I love food not because it just tastes good, but I respect and appreciate all the 5 Ws. If I come across something tasty, I am always pondering what ingredients, method of cooking, culture of influence, and the story behind it. This is somehow like film to me. When I watch I am taking in everything and fully aware that the product of this great film I am watching requires dedication from the film crew behind the camera and the actors in front. No great film can be made alone, just like no great dish can be made without tasting and adjusting along the way. We have to feel our food and the film. I love Memory Corner – a Taiwanese restaurant in Richmond, BC that makes authentic Taiwanese food, street food and home cooking style…[with] over 40 years of extremely hard work and dedication from the owner to make this restaurant happen. Try their famous House Special Lamb Hotpot - very nourishing for the winter time. If you are vegetarian, it’s excellent because they have a diverse vegetarian selection including a vegetarian version of the Lamb Hotpot Soup. Do go to the restaurant because it will absolutely be like stepping into another world. Check out their true story on their website.
