Mandarin Club is hosting a Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival) complete with moon cakes, lantern making, and art presentations tomorrow, October 23, in room 218. Club members are excited to share and celebrate one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture with their peers for the eighth year at U-High.
Celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, which falls on a night with the full moon, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for families and friends to come together, a tradition symbolized by the round shape of the moon and mooncakes. Along with the mooncakes, families eat seasonal fruits and other dishes like tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls). Seniors and co-presidents Bryse Boester and Cecilia Willie believe that the planned presentations and annual oreo mooncake making will act as opportunities for students to learn about and experience Chinese culture.
More importantly than the delicious treats, the festivities celebrate unity, completeness, and family. “I want U-High students to know that the Mid-Autumn Festival is not just about mooncakes or food; it’s about connection, like Thanksgiving,” Mandarin teacher and club sponsor Dr. Lin Lin said. In the spirit of connection, the club has also collaborated with ISU art students in creating poetry art for the festival.
All are welcome to attend. “One thing I want everyone to know is that you don’t need to be Chinese or even speak it to come celebrate,” Boester shared. “The Mid-Autumn Festival is a great time to come with your friends to the Mandarin club and learn about another culture!”
