Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration 2024
The event aimed to promote cultural understanding and celebrate the richness of Chinese traditions. More than 60 participants attended the event, including Chinese learners and faculty members. The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as 中秋节 (Zhōngqiū Jié), is one of the most important traditional festivals in Chinese culture. Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, it is a time for reunion. The full moon, a central symbol of the festival, represents completeness and unity, and serves as a reminder for people to come together with their families.
Key cultural practices include:
1. Lantern Lighting: Lanterns symbolize the wish for a bright future, peace, and prosperity. Lanterns of various sizes and shapes are often released or displayed during the festival, adding a festive atmosphere.
2. Mooncakes: These round pastries, filled with ingredients such as lotus seed paste or salted egg yolk, are shared among family members and friends. The round shape of the mooncakes is a representation of unity and completeness, echoing the symbolism of the full moon.
The event commenced with live performances that captured the spirit of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Jasmine Sung, Yifan Bao, and Kara Lu performed traditional and modern pieces. Jasmine Sung began with a recitation of the poem "Looking at the Moon and Thinking of One Far Away" (望月怀远) by Zhang Jiuling, which evoked the festival’s themes of reunion and longing. Yifan Bao followed with a rendition of the classic Chinese song "男儿当自强" by 林子祥 (George Lam), reflecting a positive and determined spirit in the face of life's hardships. Kara Lu concluded the performances with a modern musical piece, Dandelions by Ruth B., adding a contemporary flair to the program.
Caroline, a student from CHIN401, hosted a riddle-solving session that energized the audience. Participants eagerly engaged in guessing the riddles, a traditional Mid-Autumn activity, which allowed them to explore the intellectual and playful sides of the festival.
The event concluded with a lantern-making workshop, where participants created colorful lanterns using scissors, glue, and pre-prepared patterns. Lanterns, symbolic of brightness and hope, were crafted with enthusiasm, and the room was soon filled with vibrant displays of creativity.
A special highlight of the celebration was the opportunity for students to indulge in a selection of traditional Chinese treats. Attendees enjoyed delicious mooncakes, a festival staple symbolizing unity and completeness, with various flavors such as lotus seed paste and salted egg yolk. To complement the delicacies, students were served fragrant jasmine tea, a calming and aromatic beverage deeply rooted in Chinese culture, enhancing the overall experience. In addition to these treats, participants had the chance to savor Asian snacks, which included an assortment of crispy, sweet, and savory bites, providing an authentic and enjoyable culinary experience that highlighted the flavors of the Mid-Autumn Festival.