My intercultural event experience -
The joyous Moon Festival (aka Mid-Autumn Festival) is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth moon, around the time of the autumn equinox. In the western calendar, the Moon Festival fell on the 25th of September 2007. A while ago I admit, but I was sorting through some papers, and ran across the map pictured above, and happily remembered some moments...
The Moonlight Festival is a Chinese event that celebrates abundance and togetherness. The traditional Chinese custom is to celebrate it when the moon is at its maximum annual brightness by having dances, food, and moon-gazing. The China Club and International Chinese Student Association (ICSA) did their own version of celebrating at SCSU in the Atwood Ballroom.
The China Club and the International Chinese Student Association (ICSA) advertised this event around campus by distributing flyers and posters outside of classes at
From the moment my mother and I entered the Atwood Ballroom, we were greeted by many student members of The China Club welcoming us to the event. As we were handed our Chinese Moonlight Festival Booth Map, we were informed that we were to keep this map with us. As my mother and I scanned our maps, we became excited at the many opportunities we could choose from. Not wanting to miss our chance to have our names written in Chinese Calligraphy, we bee-lined our way to the very front of the auditorium to stand in line at the Chinese Calligraphy booth.
More than 60 event workers helped out at the twelve booths for people to participate at. As you made your way from the Information Desk, you were free too explore the Chinese Games, Chinese Gallery & Silent Auction, Dessert & Drinks, Chinese Traditional Toys, Chinese Dance, Chinese Calligraphy, Learn about Chinese Teas, Kung-Fu, Lanterns, and Costumes. At each booth, an attendant will stamp your map. After visiting five different booths, you will earn a free Chinese dessert and drink. Many people were visiting the booths and trying-on traditional Chinese costumes or learning Kung-Fu moves. They could also participate in the dances, have their names written in Chinese calligraphy, learn about Chinese culture and the history of the Moonlight Festival. There were also two stages that had recurring dances, plays, Tai Chi, and storytelling. I had to agree that this was a fine incentive and interactive way to get people learning more about the Chinese culture.
The overall atmosphere at the Chinese Moonlight Festival was amazing. There was amazing amounts of camaraderie between those teaching how to use a Chinese spinning-top toy and watching my mom learn how to dance in a traditional Chinese way was very entertaining, and informative. There was a lot of interaction between the performers/workers and the audience. People were also winning prizes like gasoline cards for $20 at local gas stations for participating in trivia and other games throughout the night.
We learn a culture’s views and patterns though the process of communication. As my mom and I communicated over our dessert and drank our “bubble” tea, I delighted in the fact that I was not depriving myself of the diverse perspectives of the Chinese culture. Just because someone’s experiences, beliefs, and language differ from our own, doesn’t mean we need to isolate ourselves culturally. The Chinese Social Community understands that people need to coexist in a single society, and they have opened their doors with welcoming arms. It is indeed true that cultures are dynamic and we must evolve in order to survive.
The festival was meant to bring together not only different kinds of Chinese culture, but also the
My name which was written in calligraphy (ink & brush on paper):
This ink and brush image was painted and blessed with "Luck" (ink & brush on paper):
('._.)
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