Friendship forged in the furnace of turmoil

United with stories, songs and cheers

In 1909 Canadians who were working in Chengdu established the Canadian School for their children's education. It closed in 1950.

Every year in mid-October, descendants of those who studied there, including children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and friends of the school, hold a reunion and lunch at the Dragon Legend Restaurant in Markham, a suburb of Toronto.

They open their gathering with introductions and brief presentations from guests. Following a traditional grace－Let Us with a Gladsome Mind sung to a Buddhist chant－many share their descendants' stories with memories and pictures.

The reunion closes with an old tradition－the singing of the Canadian School Song, followed by the school cheer, led by a group of singers and followed by cheers.