Shine with Lanterns: Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration at WIS

From Christy Nong, Tregaron Chinese teacher: "On September 18, the WIS Chinese Department hosted a Mid-Autumn Festival celebration, a day after the official holiday on September 17. Students participated in a variety of cultural activities, including making lanterns, sharing mooncakes, and learning about traditional tea culture.

Also known as the Mooncake Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival is an important holiday in Chinese culture. It not only marks the arrival of autumn but also symbolizes the deep desire for family reunions, gatherings with friends, and the joy of togetherness. On this special day, Chinese families traditionally come together to eat mooncakes, drink tea, and admire the beauty of the full moon. Children often carry lanterns and play lantern riddles, with the round shape of the moon and lantern symbolizing unity and harmony. These customs have been passed down for generations, and lanterns are also believed to bring blessings and ward off evil for children.

During our celebration, students had the opportunity to create their own lanterns, decorating them with well-wishes and stories about Chang’e, the moon goddess. They also learned about tea ceremonies and enjoyed sharing mooncakes. For many Grade 6 students, this was their first experience celebrating a traditional Chinese festival and trying mooncakes, and their excitement was evident. Older students wrote their wishes on their lanterns, which lit up the room like the full moon, bringing warmth and joy to everyone.

We wish everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival! As part of our celebration, we also taught the students a Chinese phrase: "花好月圆，中秋快乐" (huā hǎo yuè yuán, zhōng qiū kuài lè) ("Wishing you happiness and a perfect union under the full moon – Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!")."