The way — Klysler Yen, “Father of AAAB”

Source: AAAB yearbook (2022). Original author: AAAB website (as printed)

The way ——Klysler Yen, the "Father of Asian- American Association"

Yun Long Zhen was born in Taishan, Guangdong. He is a senior editor of Hong Kong's "Sing Tao Daily" in Boston. He loves music, and is good at string instrument, and can play violin and erhu. Yun Long Zhen and Mai Baochan immigrated from Hong Kong to Boston in 1975, when their son Donnie Yen was only 11 years old.

After 2010, Yun Long Zhen, who was over seventy years old, gradually faded out of the front line of the newspaper industry, and had a lot of idle time. He hoped to set up a social organization to promote the integration and exchanges between Asian and American ethnic groups, and help compatriots to integrate into the United States more quickly. And to promote Westerners' understanding of China and even Asia. Yun Long Zhen said, "I am also getting older, and I hope I can do my best to do meaningful things and give back to the society."

In July 2010, Yun Long Zhen and several influential local Chinese co-founded the AsianAmerican Association in Quincy with the purpose of "integrating Asian-American ethnic groups and beautifying community homes". At that time, Mr. Zhen not only funded the establishment of the foundation with other founding directors, but also provided three offices as the venue for the Asian American Association. Mr. Yun Long Zhen recalled that the number of Chinese resident at Quincy had reached an level at that time. There needs to be a Chinese-owned organization as a link to hold events and exchange information.

When asked why the Asian American Association was named, Mr. Zhen believes that the use of Asian instead of Chinese is to break the limitation of being only Chinese and to unite other Asian-American forces. The first is that we, as residents in the United States, are Americans of course, and we must abide by the laws and rules here; second, we hope to strengthen communication and contact with local Americans, and we also hope that the association can have cross-cultural and crossborder cooperation.

The Asian American Festival advocates that Americans and Asian Americans are on an equal platform. Through cultural and artistic exchanges as the main method, they can communicate with each other, enhance understanding and harmonious coexistence, and achieve win-win cooperation. The first Asian American festival invited Tianjin TV station to visit Boston; the second one invited more than 100 people from the Guangzhou Little Angel Symphony Orchestra to visit Boston and New York to perform; the third one was starring the Asian American Art Troupe, and pipa players from mainland China were also invited to participate; In the fourth session, a special dance drama and a joint cultural evening were held.

Mr. Zhen introduced that this year is the fifth Asian American Festival. This year, together with 12 partners including the Asian Cultural Center and Boston "Qiaobao Weekend", a large-scale celebration will be held at the Burlington Mall Marriott (Marriott Hotel). This year's edition is very different from previous editions. First of all, it will target the entire Greater Boston area, not just Quincy; the content will be richer and more diverse, including lectures on the Internet, entrepreneurship, medical care, education, etc., commercial booth displays, antique displays that promote Chinese culture, and cheongsam displays. There are professional and high-level theatrical performances when Miss Asia meets.

Mrs. Mai Baochan is also devoted to studying martial arts and cultivating martial arts talents. He has worked as a Tai Chi and Wushu teacher at Boston University, Harvard University, etc., and actively explores innovative art forms, such as combining Wushu and opera into Wushu drama, combining Taiji and Ribbon Dance into Taiji Ribbon Dance, creating Wudang Sword Dance, allowing the public to view Chinese martial art At an new perception . The couple have been devoted to promoting Chinese culture abroad and promoting the cultural exchange between China and the United States. The Boston City Council also designated July 17, 2014 as the Zhens Day in Boston, in recognition of the contributions and achievements of Yun Long Zhen and his wife since they immigrated.

His son Donnie Yen, as an international kung fu superstar, has also been supporting his father's work at the Asian American Festival. When he reunited with his parents with his wife and children in July this year, the preparatory committee for the 5th Asian American Festival held a press conference and brought a congratulatory letter. .

Mr. Zhen once said, "Virtue is not alone, there must be neighbors". A virtuous person will not feel alone, because there must be like-minded people close to him. This is also a true portrayal of Mr. Zhen himself. In the process of founding the Asian American Association and the Asian American Festival, he received the support of many friends, including the directors of the Asian American Association. These valuable supports have made him insist on holding the Asian American Festival for so many years, and strive to inherit and carry forward Chinese culture.

Article source: Asian American Association official website