Sunday February 22
The cultural event attracted 4,000 people in its last edition!
Quebec City, Monday, February 9 – Laurier Quebec will vibrate its walkways to the rhythm of the Lunar New Year on Sunday, February 22, starting at 11 a.m. After attracting nearly 4,000 people last year, the event returns for a third consecutive year to celebrate the year of the horse and highlight the richness of Quebec's Asian community.
A colorful spectacle
The Dance of the Lions
Starting at 11 a.m., Taoist Tai Chi ArtsMD will offer a tai chi workshop lasting approximately one hour in the central mall. The public will also have the opportunity to speak with the participants after the workshop to learn more about this traditional Chinese martial art.
Starting at 13 p.m., the Montreal Chan Lion Dance Club will entertain visitors in certain walkways on the first level before concluding their procession in the central mall with a special ceremony. Throughout the parade, shoppers will be invited to participate in the festivities by offering red envelopes, a symbolic gesture intended to attract good fortune for the coming year, in accordance with Chinese tradition.
The tradition of red envelopes
Symbols of luck and prosperity, the red envelopes contain sums of money (sometimes as small as $5) which are placed in the mouths of the lions during the parade. This tradition embodies the fundamental values of generosity, sharing, and prosperity within the community.
The Lettuce Ceremony
The lettuce ceremony, a highlight of the show, features the lions symbolically eating a lettuce before spitting it out over the crowd. According to tradition, those touched by the lettuce are promised a new year filled with happiness and success.
Traditionally offered by dignitaries, the lettuce will be presented by Donald Larose, Vice President of Retail, Quebec Region, at JLL (centre manager), as well as by Samuel Roussin, Director of Investments, at DMA (centre owner).
The meaning of the Lunar New Year under the sign of the horse
In the Chinese zodiac, the Horse is associated with energy, movement, and freedom. It symbolizes a period favorable to action, new projects, and bold initiatives. The Year of the Horse is often seen as a time of change, momentum, and renewal.
About Laurier Québec
Lighthouse center, Laurier Quebec Laurier Québec offers the largest retail experience in Eastern Canada, with over 200 stores, including more than 20 restaurants and 10 anchor stores such as H&M, Sports Experts, Linen Chest, Renaud Bray, Best Buy, Walmart, and Marshalls. A vibrant and innovative shopping centre, it welcomes over 11 million visitors annually. A must-visit destination in its market, Laurier Québec offers its customers a journey filled with top brands, discoveries, and diversity.
About JLL
For more than 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage, and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hospitality, residential, and retail properties. A Fortune 500® company with $20,8 billion in annual revenue and operations in more than 80 countries worldwide, our more than 111,000 employees bring the strength of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, employees, and communities move TOWARD A BRIGHTER FUTURE. JLL is the trading name and a registered trademark of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For more information, visit jll.com.
