MID-AUTUMN

With the crisp autumn breeze carrying the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, the Lower Secondary lobby transformed into a vibrant arena of traditional culture on the afternoon of September 26. The Chinese Language and Humanities Departments jointly hosted the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day-themed cultural event, "Moonlit Landscapes, Family and Nation Rejoice Together." Teachers and students, dressed in traditional Chinese attire such as Hanfu robes and horse-face skirts, moved through various activity zones, spending a culturally enriching midday together.

Poetry Corridor: Words Convey Emotions

"As the moon waxes and wanes, let us speak not of it, but rejoice in this beautiful season on earth." Before the event, Chinese teachers had already organized students to write poems about the Mid-Autumn Festival or patriotism on postcards in class. Each heartfelt verse was not merely a display of words but a flow of emotions. Student Angel Xie shared, "During Chinese class, our teacher guided us in creating Mid-Autumn Festival cards with personalized messages, writing elegant verses about the moon and longing to bless those we care about."

Wing Zang, another student, reflected, "At first, I was unimpressed—it seemed like an outdated activity we do every year, utterly uninteresting." However, when the teacher mentioned they could dedicate their poems to someone, her interest was piqued. After much thought, she decided to write for her teacher: "Though I've yet to repay my teacher's kindness, she does not blame; this year, the mirror-like moon shines even brighter." This line carried her deep gratitude and blessings.

The Poetry Corridor, adorned with carefully excerpted or original poems on Mid-Autumn and patriotic themes, attracted many students and teachers to stop and admire it. Angel Xie remarked, "The most captivating aspect upon entering the school was the venue decor—The primary color scheme is bright and warm orange-yellow, accented with deep blue, instantly filled the campus with a festive atmosphere." As the autumn breeze gently swayed the hanging poetry cards, the scene was both heartwarming and spectacular.

Jaden expressed, "Strolling through the Poetry Corridor and savoring the Mid-Autumn-themed works penned by my peers immersed me in the rich ambiance of traditional Chinese culture."

Tracing Moon Flavors Inheriting Geographical Charm

In the event exhibition area, students displayed exquisite "Mooncake Flavor Map" posters. Using Mooncake Flavor Map – "Liaoge China" on the Tongue and The Moon Shines Over China – Geographical Map of Mid-Autumn Customs in China as learning tools, they skillfully integrated geography with Mid-Autumn culture.

From Cantonese-style mooncakes’ sweet glutinousness fitting Lingnan’s climate, Suzhou-style ones’ crispness linking to Jiangnan’s produce, Beijing-style ones’ richness echoing northern grain cultivation, to Yunnan-style ones’ savoriness featuring southwest plateau ingredients—every mooncake flavor stems from the combined influence of geography, climate and cultural customs.

Exploring the posters, students not only appreciated the diversity of Chinese mooncake culture but also deepened understanding of the geographical meaning that "a region’s environment nurtures its culture". This event added intellectual fun to the festival, brought geography from textbooks to life, inspired people to discover traditional cultural beauty from a geographical perspective, and truly realized mutual empowerment of "cultural inheritance" and "disciplinary practice".

Interactive Experiences: Wisdom and Fun

"I guessed three riddles correctly!" "I recited five lines containing the word 'moon' in the Flying Flowers Game!" Cheers erupted incessantly in the interactive zones.

Catherine, dressed in a horse-face skirt and hairpins, arrived early: "The swaying skirt seemed to bridge the distance between me and this millennia-old tradition." Her most memorable challenge was the Flying Flowers Game: "When my keyword turned out to be 'home,' I was momentarily speechless. In a moment of panic, I blurted out, 'The Yang family had a daughter just grown up,' and won a gift!" This joy made the theme of "Family and Nation Rejoice Together" feel even more vivid and profound to her.

The lantern riddle zone was packed, filled with discussions and exclamations of sudden realization. Aimee Wu, though claiming to be unskilled at riddles, was inspired by the collective enthusiasm: "Even though I didn't guess correctly, watching my peers excitedly claim their prizes filled me with immense joy."

Melodies Lingering: Warmth and Connection

Throughout the event, the singing of Ms. Hai Liao from the Chinese Department never ceased. Her lively tunes, filled with festive energy, resonated across the venue. Ms. Liao performed melodious songs rich in Chinese cultural charm, evoking a deep sense of Mid-Autumn Festival spirit among teachers and students and adding a strong artistic atmosphere to the event.

Jessie Zhou described, "The teacher's singing never stopped in the midday event space, her cheerful tunes carrying a sense of bustling excitement." Amidst the melodious songs, students enjoyed solving riddles and reciting poetry, immersed in traditional culture.

Aimee Wu added, "From afar, the blend of bustling voices and faint music felt harmonious. Up close, the lingering melodies flowed like a gentle stream, and the teacher's graceful singing directly stirred a resonance within for the Mid-Autumn Festival."

Amid the lively scene, one student proudly boasted to those around, "The teacher singing—she's my Chinese teacher!"

Creative Handicrafts: Heritage at Your Fingertips

The most popular area was the moon lantern painting zone. Students carefully painted nebulae, jade rabbits, and osmanthus branches onto the lantern surfaces. When lit, the soft glow revealed unique little universes in their hands. Traditional culture is not a dusty relic of history but a vibrant lived experience. Through interaction, the essence of the Mid-Autumn Festival became tangible, allowing students to deeply appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese culture.

The blessing wall was covered with heartfelt wishes from teachers and students: "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival," "Joyous National Day," "Wishing family peace and health," "Hoping classmates excel in studies"... Note by note, they formed a warm harbor of collective goodwill.

Dual Festivals, One Heart for Family and Nation

Lower Secondary Principal Yuemei Sun, dressed in a silver qipao, visited the event. Delighted by the vibrant and joyous atmosphere, she praised the Chinese and Humanities Departments for expanding a faint initial idea into a well-executed cultural activity.

Chinese Department Head Kiddle Zhang stated, "This event not only allowed students to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture but also planted the seeds of patriotism in their hearts. When the reunion sentiment of Mid-Autumn meets the patriotic spirit of National Day, the most beautiful chemical reaction occurs."

Humanities Department Head Davina Deng added, "We aimed to make culture 'come alive' and heritage 'dynamic' through this engaging approach. Seeing students participate so enthusiastically is immensely gratifying."

As the full moon symbolizes reunion, family and nation share this moment. Though the 45-minute event was brief, the seeds of culture were quietly sown. Jessie Zhou reflected, "Holding the small prize I won, I suddenly understood that the warmth of Mid-Autumn never lies in formalities. It's in the hints offered when others struggle, the shared smiles when someone makes a mistake—these tiny interactions create genuine joy, simple yet heartwarming."

This poetic and warm cultural feast enabled teachers and students to collectively appreciate the depth of traditional Chinese culture and nurture a sense of national pride amid their busy schedules.

Moonlit landscapes illuminate the path of millennia of cultural heritage;

Family and nation rejoicing together gather the sincere hearts of countless students.