Toronto, September 30, 2025 — From September 19 to 27, the second edition of the “Shared Moonlight Across the Globe” cultural series took place across the Greater Toronto Area. The program featured three main events: a full-length Peking Opera performance of The Legend of the White Snake, the “Bank of China Night” symphony concert, and a Mid-Autumn Night Market in Mississauga. The events drew wide participation from Canadian officials, community leaders, and audiences.
Peking Opera Performance
On September 21, the Canadian Chinese Opera Association presented The Legend of the White Snake at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. The production was directed by Yang Yanyi, a national first-class performer, together with Association President Zhang Yanyan. A professional orchestra provided live accompaniment, and bilingual subtitles and guided introductions helped audiences of diverse backgrounds follow the story.
Among the attendees were Luo Weidong, Consul General of China in Toronto, Cultural Counsellor Wang Yanjun, Commercial Counsellor Liu Linlin, and Wu Ning, Director of the China National Tourist Office in Toronto, along with Richmond Hill Councillor Simon Cui and community representatives. The performance was warmly received, marking the association’s second year participating in the cultural series and reflecting on its ten years of opera promotion in Canada.
Mid-Autumn Night Market
The series opened on September 19 with the Mississauga Mid-Autumn Night Market. The event featured food stalls, lantern displays, and cultural performances, attracting an estimated 25,000 visitors over three days. Attendees included Chinese Deputy Consul General Cheng Hongbo, Cultural Counsellor Wang Yanjun, Mississauga Deputy Mayor John Kovac, and Member of Provincial Parliament Sheref Sabawy.
The night market created a festive environment for cultural exchange and also featured a “Hello, China” tourism booth that encouraged visitors of all backgrounds to engage with Chinese cultural traditions.
“Bank of China Night” Symphony Concert
On September 26, the “Bank of China Night” symphony concert was held at the George Weston Recital Hall at the Meridian Arts Centre. The concert featured the China Youth Philharmonic from the Middle School Affiliated with the China Conservatory of Music, performing alongside local Toronto artists. The program included Festival Overture, well-known folk melodies such as Jasmine Flower and Purple Bamboo Tune, and concluded with Yellow River Cantata, which involved both the orchestra and the audience in a collective chorus.
More than 1,000 people attended the concert. Dignitaries present included Chinese consular officials, Canadian politicians, and representatives of cultural organizations. During their visit, the youth orchestra also staged an outdoor performance at Niagara Falls on September 22, drawing large crowds of international tourists.
Event Background
The “Shared Moonlight Across the Globe” initiative was launched in 2017 by China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism to mark the Mid-Autumn Festival. Each year, cultural events are held in cities around the world to share the festival’s themes of reunion, harmony, and well-being while promoting intercultural understanding.
This year marked the second time the series has been hosted in Toronto, with support from the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto and the China National Tourist Office. The events were co-organized with the Canadian Chinese Opera Association, the Canada-China Culture Development Association, and the Ontario Legend Horizon Foundation.（LJI by Rudy)
