It’s Spring in Vancouver, and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. You can see these ornamental cherry trees all over the city, and it’s truly a sight to behold when strolling or driving down the streets. So, why does Vancouver have so many of these trees? I thought “sakura,” flowers of ornamental cherry trees, are native to Japan, Korea, China, and India.
溫哥華的春天來了，櫻花盛開。在這裡，無論是散步還是駕車於街道中穿梭，這些櫻花樹都隨處可見，多麽令人賞心悅目的風景啊！不過，為什麼溫哥華會有這麼多櫻花樹呢？我本以為「櫻花」是日本、韓國、中國與印度的原生植物。
Well, it turns out there are several reasons for this phenomenon. The history of cherry blossom trees being gifted by Japan to cities around the world as a symbol of friendship and peace. For Vancouver, specifically, it’s reported by the CBC that the first significant number of cherry trees was planted in the 1930s as a gesture to honor Japanese Canadians who served in World War I.
原來，此一美景的背後有它的故事。日本將櫻花樹贈與世界各地的城市，作為友誼與和平的象徵。根據加拿大廣播公司的報導，首批櫻花樹在1930年代的溫哥華大量種植，以紀念於一戰中服役的日裔加拿大人。
Since then, the cherry blossom trees have become an integral part of Vancouver’s identity, adding aesthetic value to the city’s parks, streets, and gardens. They symbolize renewal and the fleeting nature of life, echoing themes found in Japanese culture, which resonate with many people’s appreciation for beauty and transience. Vancouver celebrates this connection with nature through the annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, which encourages community engagement and appreciation of the blossoms.
從那時起，櫻花樹就成了溫哥華的一部分，為城市的公園、街道與花園增添了美感。它們象徵著復興與生命的短暫，呼應著日本文化的主旋律，這與許多人對美與無常的喜愛產生了共鳴。透過一年一度的溫哥華櫻花節，溫哥華讚揚著其與自然的緊密聯繫，鼓勵社區參與及賞櫻。
Regarding the trees’ adaptability, Vancouver’s mild coastal climate is ideal for cherry blossom trees, though the trees don’t fare as well in the warmer and drier weather conditions B.C. has faced due to climate change. The city of Vancouver also intentionally plants cherry blossom trees in its efforts to increase green spaces, improve urban aesthetics, and provide residents and visitors with beautiful natural landscapes to enjoy. As can be seen in the pictures here, people here simply love them.
溫哥華溫和的沿海氣候非常適合櫻花樹的生長。相比之下，由於氣候變遷的關係，近年來卑詩省（British Columbia，B.C.）變得較為溫暖與乾燥，便不太利於櫻花樹的生長。溫哥華也有意種植櫻花樹，以增加綠地，改善城市美學，讓居民與遊客得以享受美麗的自然風景。如圖所示，人們真的超愛它們。
Want to see them for yourselves? Come for a visit through one of the language programs or sessional camps offered by UBC. A short trip here will surely ease your mind, and the mild weather is an escape from the intense summer heat (though it can get warm here as well).
想要親自體驗看看嗎？透過ＵＢＣ提供的語言學程或短期訓練營來這裡參觀吧！到這裡短期旅遊，定能大大放鬆你的心情。溫和的天氣也是避暑的好去處唷（雖然這裡有時也會變得很熱）！
UBC 遊學問卷: https://forms.gle/1aXUJWrwrUChpQe16
資料來源: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-cherry-blossom-photos-2024-1.7150515