The 37th Annual BC Japanese Speech Contest: A Celebration of Language and Culture

On March 1, the Japanese Language Program at UBC Vancouver hosted the 37th Annual BC Japanese Speech Contest.

The event brought together Japanese language learners in BC and provided them with a platform to showcase their skills and share their unique perspectives.

2025 Quiz on Korea

Quiz on Korea is an annual game show that quizzes non-Koreans on their knowledge of Korean culture, social news, history, etc. Finalists will fly to Korea to appear on a special TV segment broadcast!

The Canada Preliminary Round, hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Vancouver in partnership with UBC's Korean Language and Culture program, is taking place on Saturday, April 12 at the Asian Centre Auditorium. Apply by March 31 to participate!

New translation of a Mao-era farcical film "Window to America" 美國之窗 (China, 1952)

In March 2025, the UBC Chinese Film Classics Project published Yuqian Chen and Christopher Rea's translation of the 1952 film "Window to America" (Meiguo zhi chuang). The film, a farcical adaptation of a Soviet play, acts also as a window into Chinese filmmaking during the early PRC.

Watch the full film for free on the CFC website or on YouTube.

Associate Professor Mark Turin reflects on the impact of Trump’s English language order

Asian Studies Associate Member Dr. Mark Turin (UBC Institute for Critical Indigenous Studies and the Department of Anthropology) recently co-authored an article on the impact of an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on March 1 designating English as the country’s sole official language.

Kids Take Over UBC 2025: Event Recap

On Sunday, February 16, the UBC Asian Library welcomed kids and families to campus for Kids Take Over UBC 2025! This year’s theme was Bridges Across Time, Seasons, and Cultures in Asia, in collaboration with the Nitobe Memorial Gardens and the Chung | Lind Gallery.

The Asian Library had approximately 520 visitors between 11am-4pm to participate in a wide array of programming and fun, which included Japanese woodblock printing, henna, origami, colouring, solving riddles, playing Asian games, and Storytimes in Korean, Japanese, Persian, Punjabi, and Mandarin.

Celebrating New Year Traditions at the Asian Library

The Asian Centre foyer features a New Year Celebrations in Asia display, highlighting Nowruz, Diwali, and Lunar New Year, their cultural significance, and associated traditions. This exhibition underscores the diverse ways communities across Asia mark the passing of time and the changing of seasons, emphasizing renewal, unity, and cultural heritage.

Date: Up until early April
Location: Asian Centre Foyer - Asian Library (1871 West Mall)