FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Colindale, London, 22nd June 2023] – The North London Chinese Association (NLCA) is thrilled to announce the resounding success of the Elderly Luncheon Event held on 22nd June 2023. The event, which celebrated the cherished traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival, brought together seniors from the community for an afternoon of cultural enrichment, delicious food, and heartwarming friendship.
The event was well supported by the Community and the 58th Mayor of Barnet Councillor Nagus Narenthira attended the event with her fellow Colindale South Ward Councillors Cllr Humayune Khalick and Cllr Gill Sargeant. Cllr Ernest Ambe Esq., Mr David Pinto-Duschinshy and our supporter Lions Club District Governor for District 105A Lion Kavaljit Dev and her husband Lion Pammy also joined the seniors to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival.
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a tradition that takes place annually in various parts of the world. With the aim of preserving and sharing this rich cultural heritage, the NLCA organised the Elderly Luncheon Event, creating a platform for seniors to engage in meaningful activities and strengthen community bonds.
The event kicked off with a warm welcome from the organisers, who expressed their gratitude to the attendees for their presence and participation. The atmosphere was vibrant and festive, with the venue adorned in colourful decorations symbolising the Dragon Boat Festival’s spirit.
The highlight of the luncheon was the delectable feast, featuring traditional dishes associated with the Dragon Boat Festival. Attendees savoured zongzi, sticky rice dumplings filled with various ingredients such as pork, peanuts, and beans, carefully wrapped in bamboo leaves. The culinary delights were accompanied by refreshing herbal teas, bringing back nostalgic memories and invoking a sense of togetherness.
As part of the event, several activities were organised to engage and entertain the seniors. A short storytelling session captivated the audience with tales of the festival’s origin and significance. Mr Johnnie Wu and Ms Ruby Wong also sang for the audience.
“The Elderly Luncheon Event celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival was a tremendous success,” said Mr Edmond Yeo, Chairman of NLCA. “We are delighted to have provided a platform for our cherished seniors to come together, share stories, enjoy delicious food, and experience the cultural richness of this festival. It is heartwarming to witness the smiles and camaraderie that filled the room today.”
The event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors and dedicated volunteers, whose contributions played an instrumental role in creating a memorable experience for all attendees. The NLCA extends heartfelt gratitude to each and every individual and organisation that made this event a grand success.
Special thanks to Chinese Church in London (CCiL) for providing a free venue, Tao Tao Ju for providing the scrumptious authentic food.