Happy Moon Festival 2024
By Jack Wang ’27 Staff Writer; Edited by Rawnie Sun ’25, Head Editor-in-Chief
Background
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is celebrated in Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Singaporean, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Malaysian, Indonesian, and Thai cultures. Traditionally falling on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the traditional Chinese calendar, the festival is associated with the story of Chang’e, the Chinese goddess of the moon. It’s safe to say that this festival is one of my favorite holidays as an Asian Canadian — and I can attribute a good part of that to mooncakes and the togetherness they bring. Mooncakes are eaten as a special treat as they symbolize connectivity and longevity. In my family, it’s a tradition to eat mooncakes while we watch the full moon and my parents retell the legend of Chang’e and the history that comes with the festival. To me, the tradition and festival signify a time when I feel most connected to my cultural roots and background, so I am so incredibly glad to see Ridley’s celebration of this cultural event!
Article
Participating in the annual Mid-Autumn Festival at Ridley College was an unforgettable experience. It was a special event organized by Chinese students for the Asian community at our school. Our main goal was to provide a sense of home for many of us who are far from our country. This year, I had the opportunity to participate in the preparations and planning, which deepened my appreciation for both my culture and the effort that goes into organizing such events.
Working with my peers to plan the evening made me realize how important it is to stay connected to our cultural roots, especially in a foreign country. From deciding on the performances to preparing traditional Chinese food, we came together as a team to ensure the success of the event. Everyone was passionate and dedicated to showcasing the richness of the festival, and it was heartwarming to see students from other backgrounds join us in celebration.
The event itself was a beautiful blend of cultural performances, and, of course, mooncakes. The sense of community we fostered that evening reminded me of the importance of cultural diversity in our school and how such celebrations bring people together.
Overall, the Mid-Autumn Festival allowed me to reconnect with my roots while sharing the beauty of Chinese traditions with others. It was a meaningful and heartening experience that I will always cherish.
