After teaching English online for almost five years to Chinese students and celebrating the holiday with friends from China, Mid-Autumn Festival is one holiday that I'm somewhat familiar with. It occurs during the Harvest Moon (the closest full moon to the autumn equinox). Though it's not on my customary list of yearly holidays, it connects me to the children who have become so dear to my heart. Mid-Autumn Festival is the second most important holiday on many Asian calendars next only to the Lunar New Year. It is known as a time for family, friends, lots of yummy food, lanterns, and moon cake.
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A few FAQs about Mid-Autumn Festival:
- When is it celebrated? Mid- Autumn festival occurs on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month (typically the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, also know as the Harvest Moon). This year it falls on Saturday, September 10.
- How do people celebrate this festival? With friends and family gathering for large meals, eating moon cake, and enjoying the beautiful moon lit sky.
- What is a moon cake? Moon cakes are round pastries that are filled with various fruits, vegetables, or even chocolate. They come in many varieties. Most have a dense sweet or savory filling.
- What countries celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival? China, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
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Here are a few ways we like to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with our Chinese and Asian friends.
1) Decorate with colorful lanterns.
You can make a Mid-Autumn lantern like this one or check online for more inspiration.
2) Gather for a celebration of autumn and friendship.
Call and invite some friends and family over to celebrate. This is a time that many families gather to share a meal.
3) Eat Mooncake
They are shared between family and close friends as a reminder of the Mid-Autumn Festival story of Lady Chang'e flying to the moon.
4) Enjoy traditional foods
Traditional Mid-Autumn Festival foods include: taro, crab, duck, pears, walnuts, edame, lotus root, some families also enjoy hot pot or dumplings. Another way to try some fun Asian foods would be to look for local restaurants that would serve these treats. One of our local treasures in Tuscaloosa is Mr. Chen's Chinese Restaurant. There is a grocery store connected to the restaurant that sales many wonderful Asian cuisines. You can purchase moon cake during this time of year.
5) Learn about the legend of Mid-Autumn Festival
You can see the story unfold on this Little Genius Youtube video. You can also check out the cute Netflix film Over the Moon. Other sources and books can be found at your Local Public Library.
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One common Chinese Greeting for this festival is δΈη§θεΏ«δΉ — ‘Zhongqiu Jie kuaile!’ translated "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival."
My students would always love it when their teacher would try to learn new Chinese phrases. Here is a video link to hear it pronounced for practice.
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