Hongcheng Zhao’s decision to create the Oregon Chinese Festival arose from a complex interplay of historical challenges and a passionate commitment to cultural education.
Zhao, the president of the Oregon Chinese Coalition, reflects on the intricate layers of this cultural celebration with a hearty chuckle.
It turns out that the motivations behind the festival are not as straightforward as they may initially seem.
The endeavor represents a microcosm of the broader historical experiences of Chinese culture in Portland, a city that champions progressivism while grappling with a complicated past.
In Zhao’s words, the festival aims to foster an understanding of Chinese culture within the broader community.
“I wanted to be more proactive to educate the general public and to have people be more exposed to Chinese culture,” he explains.
Still, the path to establishing the festival was riddled with difficulties, as Zhao noted that the Chinese community was not accustomed to such public engagement, making the initial steps towards creation a formidable challenge in 2019.
Despite the hurdles, the festival has evolved impressively over six years since its inception, transforming into one of Portland’s standout summer events.
Zhao is eager to celebrate this growth, stating, “We are doing this more and more, bigger and bigger and better and better.”
The Oregon Chinese Festival will take place at Pioneer Courthouse Square from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Spanning a significant 40-by-32-foot stage, touted as the largest ever in the square, the event boasts an array of performances.
Approximately 500 performers will present over 60 acts, showcasing the richness of both traditional and modern Chinese performance art.
Local culinary offerings will feature eight vendors, serving various traditional dishes such as Jianbing, Jian Bao, Sichuan noodles, steamed dumplings, barbecue, pot stickers, and more.
Children will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities through six tables, offering arts and crafts like diabolo, calligraphy, burr puzzles, tangram, and origami.
Each aspect of the festival aims to reflect the historical narrative of a culture that has quietly contributed to Portland’s fabric for over a century.
Zhao enthusiastically delves into this history, shedding light on its depths during his extended introduction.
Cantonese-Chinese immigrants first arrived in Oregon in the mid-1850s, even prior to the region’s official statehood.
By the following decade, many had come to work on the Western section of the transcontinental railroad, contributing significantly to the project with approximately 20,000 workers.
By 1890, Portland was home to the second-largest Chinese population in the United States, trailing only San Francisco, with about one in ten residents being Chinese.
However, this burgeoning community faced significant discrimination, exemplified by the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which imposed severe restrictions on immigration and labor for several decades.
Although this law was not fully repealed until 1943, when China became an Allied power during World War II, the impact on the community was severe.
During the early years, many Chinese residents settled along the Willamette River, near where the Saturday Market currently operates.
Unfortunately, the combination of flooding and societal prejudice forced many to relocate a few blocks north, leading to a concentration in Old Town Chinatown.
Zhao points out, “The river had no banks on both sides, so there was small flooding every year — and sometimes big flooding.”
The prevailing attitude that these residents did not deserve the scenic views of the river further fueled the displacement.
By World War II, the Chinese community had established itself in the area, creating a vibrant culture marked by celebrated restaurants and shops.
In the 1980s and 90s, a new wave of Mandarin-speaking Chinese immigrants arrived, seeking educational opportunities and white-collar careers.
Zhao, an alumnus of Harvard and the University of California, made Portland his home in 1995 as part of this new generation.
Yet, around the turn of the century, significant changes began to unfold in Portland.
The city’s population surged, and areas like the Pearl District underwent dramatic transformations, increasingly becoming associated with wealth and development.
This urban revitalization also brought a concentration of social services, putting significant pressure on the heart of Chinatown.
Consequently, many Chinese residents felt compelled to move, as their shops and restaurants were squeezed out by rising property values.
As Zhao highlights, “People were rushing into Chinatown to buy whatever property was available.”
The older generation, feeling vulnerable, made the decision to sell and relocate, with many finding new homes further east.
Places like 82nd Avenue emerged as alternative centers for the Chinese community, with residents seeking comfort and familiarity.
Worried about the erosion of cultural heritage, Zhao founded the Oregon Chinese Coalition in 2016, coinciding with significant real estate transactions that jeopardized community landmarks.
While unifying such a diverse community proved difficult, Zhao’s mission emphasized creating connections for the future preservation of Chinese culture.
He recognized the necessity of bridging divides amid varying backgrounds and histories within the Chinese community.
Zhao states, “If you don’t do anything as a community, change the way you have been doing things, then you seal your own fate.”
To counteract this decline, Zhao encouraged community members to hold onto their properties, ensuring that seven or eight key active buildings in Chinatown remain under Chinese ownership.
Over the past nine years, the Oregon Chinese Coalition has significantly expanded its reach and influence.
The organization hosts approximately 50 events yearly, ensuring active engagement within the community on nearly every weekend.
Each November, the coalition undertakes the replacement of lanterns and lampposts in Chinatown, utilizing grants and community donations for the endeavor.
Additionally, it provides essential rental assistance to 1,000 families, helping to combat homelessness among Chinese Americans.
Zhao further champions the coalition’s role in advocating for restorative justice in response to recent Asian hate crimes, a notable achievement as the first organization in the nation to do so.
This weekend, however, will bring the highlight of the year: the Oregon Chinese Festival at Pioneer Courthouse Square.
Zhao reflects on the significance of the event, emphasizing its role as a celebration of a community that has woven itself into the city’s tapestry for over a century.
“It’s a pure, 100 percent immersive cultural experience for everybody,” he affirms.
As Portland prepares for what promises to be a vibrant and educational celebration, the festival underscores the resilience and ongoing contributions of the Chinese community to the city.
image source from：oregonlive
