Year of the fire horse brings Chinese museum to life
A visit from lion dancers and the prime minister marked the beginning of a work in progress for a museum dedicated to the stories of some of Australia’s earliest immigrants.
In the heart of Sydney’s Chinatown, the Chinese Museum in Australia opened its doors with great fanfare on Sunday for the first time after years of difficulties, revealing its jade entrance.
“This is a really big moment for a lot of us,” says Peter Cai, the museum’s general director.
The museum, which handed over the keys to the former Haymarket Library in 2021, has faced many challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic to balancing the complexities of renovating a historic building dating from 1875, and will finally welcome visitors starting Tuesday.
While finishing touches continue to be made on the site, it will also feature a promotional exhibition featuring some of Sydney’s greatest merchant families from the late 19th to the early 20th centuries.
But Mr Cai said the aim of the museum was not just to tell the story of the local community.
“We want to tell the story of Chinese Australians as part of Australia’s wider historical development and feature Chinese Australians as part of Australia’s modern nation-building effort,” he told AAP. he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who grew up with his mother in the neighboring suburb of Camperdown, recalled shopping in Chinatown at Christmas, when celebrations at his home were a small affair and there was no point in having a big turkey.
“What we did was come to one of the outlets here and every year we had a duck and pork barbecue for our Christmas dinner,” Mr Albanese recalled. “And that way, whoever came and everyone was welcome in our home; that was part of the advantage we had.”
The prime minister said the museum will play an important role in educating about the contributions made by Chinese immigrants and their descendants.
“There are Chinese Australians in every aspect of Australian life, which enriches our country,” he said.
The museum opened during Chinese New Year, in the year of the fire horse, which is traditionally associated with a period of major breakthroughs and radical changes in Chinese astrology.
“This is such an auspicious time that we really hope that all the renovations will be done this year,” Mr. Cai said.
Minister of Multiculturalism Anne Aly said the museum sheds light on the ambition, resilience and determination of Chinese immigrants
“These are stories worth remembering because they deepen our understanding of who we are and strengthen the sense of belonging that underpins our multicultural success,” he said.
In the face of challenges to multiculturalism and diversity in Australia, Mr Cai said Australians loved stories about the underdogs.
“(Chinese Australians) came to this country, worked really hard in the background of the White Australia policy, but over time they achieved incredible success,” he said.
