China News Agency, Beijing, September 10th (Reporter Wu Kan) "The moon is the brightest night in a year, when people from thousands of miles are enjoying it." Another year's Mid-Autumn Festival, the multi-national Chinatown and Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival is full of flavor, overseas Chinese and Chinese Celebrate the festive season in different ways, express the complex of longing for a full moon and a round person and thoughts of nostalgia for the moon.
As a symbol of reunion and a token to connect relatives and friends, moon cakes are an indispensable seasonal food for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Around the Mid-Autumn Festival, in major supermarkets in overseas Chinese communities, a dazzling array of mooncakes has become the best-selling food.
In New York, the United States, various Chinese supermarkets put mooncakes in the most conspicuous position. This year, there are more types of mooncakes than in previous years. There are both old brands familiar to the Chinese and new popular flavors. The packaging of mooncakes is also full of whimsy. Made into rabbit lanterns, moon cake blind boxes and other forms.
Canadian Chinese supermarket Datonghua launched more than 50 types of mooncakes half a month ago. In addition to traditional flavors such as egg yolk lotus paste, red bean paste, and five kernels, there are also snowskin mooncakes filled with mango mung bean paste, hazelnut chocolate and Liuxin. Custard mooncakes are very popular among young consumers.
The exchange of moon cakes between relatives and friends is also an essential "ceremony" during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Recently, a "moon cake delivery" is being held at 16 sub-stations in 13 countries including the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Hungary, etc. The event was organized by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Department of Zhejiang Province in conjunction with Chinese associations in various countries. More than 20,000 moon cake condolence gift boxes floated. Cross the ocean, and then distribute it to overseas Chinese through Chinese associations in various countries.
An old Zhejiang leader in Belgium said, "This moon cake from my hometown makes us feel homesick and warm during the festive season."
The festival custom of "playing with lanterns" in Mid-Autumn Festival has also been preserved among overseas Chinese.
In Singapore, Chinatown celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival with lanterns and lanterns. This year's lanterns are themed around moon cakes and jade rabbits, spanning New Bridge Road, South Bridge Road, Yu Tung Xuan Street, and extending to the upper section of Cross Street for the first time.
The main lighting is 10 meters high and consists of four candy-colored mooncakes engraved with the words "flowers are full of moon", cleverly matched with several jade rabbits of different shapes.
Yang Liming, Singapore's Minister of Communications and Information, said, "I hope to spread multiculturalism through a series of Mid-Autumn Festival activities and welcome the festival with all ethnic groups."
In Malaysia, a "National Lantern Making Competition" was held on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival under the guidance of the Malaysian Chinese Assembly Hall Association and hosted by the Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall. Interspersed with other elements, the lanterns have various shapes, exquisite craftsmanship and novel and unique designs.
The organizers said that they hope to inspire more younger generations to have interest and love through the event, so that this traditional culture can be passed on.
Overseas Chinese brought the Mid-Autumn Festival customs overseas. After development and evolution, the Mid-Autumn Festival customs also gradually incorporated some cultural characteristics of the country they lived in. They celebrated and had fun with more people in a wider space and became a part of all ethnic groups. Multicultural activities.
In Argentina, a large-scale Mid-Autumn Temple Fair opened lively in Buenos Aires China Town on the 10th. The event was co-hosted by the Buenos Aires Municipal Government, the 13th District Government of Buenos Aires, and the Argentine China Town Management Committee. Many Buenos Aires municipalities were to attend. At the opening ceremony, there were dragon and lion dance, martial arts, waist drum and other performances at the temple fair. Nearly 60 food stalls were also set up on the site. Overseas Chinese and local people enjoyed the program at the temple fair, bought traditional Chinese handicrafts, and tasted snacks such as moon cakes and spring rolls. , to share the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Overseas Chinese in New York, the United States celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival by holding large-scale celebrations, Mid-Autumn Festival parades, and fireworks, attracting many local people to participate.
In Brooklyn, New York, a "Mid-Autumn Family Fun Day" event was held recently. Hundreds of red lanterns were hung on the streets, and there were dragon and lion dances, Peking Opera performances, etc. at the event.
The organizer of the event and president of the Asian American Association, Chen Shanzhuang, said, "The formation of the Chinese community in the United States has a long history, but despite the passage of time, the tradition of Chinese people celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival has been passed down from generation to generation. The next generation should not forget the excellent traditional culture." (End)