Edmonton’s Harbin Gate is being celebrated in a new series of commemorative stamps featuring Chinatowns in Canada.
The new stamps were unveiled as part of Asian Heritage Month and feature Chinatown gates from eight cities across Canada – including Edmonton.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity when it coincides with a month and a celebration,” said Canada Post’s Kris Tailby.
Canada Post says for thousands of Chinese immigrants, the gates in Canada’s Chinatowns was a symbol of being welcomed into a new environment.
Each gate features unique elements that recognize events – such as the development of vibrant neighbourhoods that welcomed immigrants who decided to make Canada their home – or detail the architecture and construction seen in specific regions of China.
Edmonton’s Harbin Gate was built in 1987 and features bright colours and traditional Chinese motif.
“It was created by a team of Chinese and Canadian designers and craftspeople,” Tailby explained.
“And Edmonton’s sister city Harbin in China, contributed materials for its construction.”
Edmonton is home to the third largest Chinatown in Canada.
Local artists submitted water colour illustrations for the stamps and a Montreal-based designer worked to ensure the creations came together for a unified set.
Edmonton’s Gabe Wong is the artist behind the Harbin Gate stamp and Tailby said the work is extra special for Wong as he lives in Chinatown right by the gate itself.
The stamps are sold at Canada post locations in various formats including books of eight, commemorative sets and gift sets.
Other cities featured include Vancouver, Victoria, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga and Montreal.
Tailby says the Chinatown gates set is one of the most beautiful stamps she’s seen in her 25-year career with Canada Post.
“They’re beautiful,” she says.
“I think it really is one of the most beautiful we’ve done in just a very long time.”
