Post-event Report
August 15, 2025, marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Asia. ALPHA Education, the WongAvery Asia-Pacific Peace Museum (APPM), together with the Chinese Professionals Association of Canada (CPAC), and the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto (CCCGT) organized a special concert, Quest for Peace, to commemorate this very special day.
The evening brought together more than 600 attendees, including community members and representatives from all levels of government, who gathered to reflect on history and celebrate the power of music in fostering peace and understanding.
With three hours of inspiring and amazing performances by choir and orchestras blending music with cultures and messages of peace, the concert honored the historical memory while calling attention to the importance of peace. Performers included the April Dream Choir, the Canadian Chinese Orchestra Chamber Ensemble, the Canadian Sinfonietta Youth Orchestra, the Toronto Pops Orchestra and vocalist Chen Chen. From traditional Chinese folk music to wartime songs such as Singing Girl Under the Iron Heel and Ode to the Great Wall, the performances showcased a wide spectrum of musical expression stirring both nostalgia and reflection. A lively rendition of the classic Chinese song Congratulations, Congratulations which was written in 1946 to celebrate the end of war sufferings added a memorable note to the evening.
By weaving history and music together, Quest for Peace reminded us not to forget the past, but to carry forward the values of peace, justice, and reconciliation into the future. Only through mutual respect and understanding can true peace be achieved.
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