Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival in Dalian: A Journey of Tradition and Creativity
As an American Expat in China 🇨🇳, Here's What Mid-Autumn Festival Feels Like
🎉 Ah, the Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner (just a few weeks away), and I am SO excited to dive into the world of mooncakes, lanterns, and all the festive fun that comes with it! 🌕
As a foodie and a lover of all things cultural, I've always been fascinated by the rich history and traditions behind this beloved holiday.
And let me tell you, there's so much more to it than just devouring yummy mooncakes (although, let's be real, that's a big part of it 😋).
The Mid-Autumn Festival, a cherished holiday in China, is more than just a day off from work and school.
It’s a vibrant celebration filled with rich traditions and delightful activities.
One of my favorite things to do in Dalian is finding local traditions and events to participate in.
The company where I took Chinese lessons partnered with Localren, a thriving community that connects expats and locals through organized events in the Dalian area.
The two organizations coordinated a unique group activity where I had the pleasure of learning about the significance of this festival.
Discovering the Significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival
During our class, my wonderful teacher, April, shared fascinating stories about the goddess of the moon and the customs associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival.
She talked about:
Mooncakes: These sweet treats symbolize reunion and harmony.
Rabbits: Often associated with the moon, they represent fertility and prosperity.
Lanterns: Traditionally lit to guide the way for loved ones, they symbolize hope and brightness.
April teaching us about Mooncakes, rabbits and lanterns and their significance with the Mid-Autumn Festival.
My Hands-On Experience Making Mooncakes
One of the highlights of the day was learning how to make mooncakes.
April guided us through the process, and here’s a brief overview of how we did it:
Prepare the Ingredients: We started by gathering the mooncake skin and stuffing.
Assemble the Mooncake: I had a large mooncake, and I carefully placed the stuffing inside the skin.
Shaping: Using a special tool, I pressed down to create beautiful designs on the mooncake.
Fun Fact: I discovered that the mooncakes we made were raw and didn’t require baking, which was a surprise!
Although my mooncake didn’t turn out perfectly (I may have applied a bit too much pressure!), it was a fun and creative experience.
After crafting our mooncakes, we packaged them in adorable takeout boxes, complete with ribbons and stickers, making them look professionally made.
FYI: Mine were definitely inedible. 😒 But they were cute tho! 😝
Decorating Lanterns: My Artistic Outlet
After our mooncake adventure, we transitioned to the next activity: decorating lanterns.
As someone who enjoys arts and crafts, this was a perfect moment for me to express my creativity.
There were really only two steps in the lantern-making process:
Design: We were given templates to follow, but I added my personal touch.
Coloring and Assembly: I enjoyed coloring and putting together the pieces, focusing on making a “fortune fish” lantern.
During the lantern-making session, I had a friendly competition with Isaac, a fellow participant from Canada.
We both showcased our creations, and while his dragon lantern looked intricate, I was proud of my colorful fish lantern.
A Memorable Experience
Participating in this group activity was not just about learning how to make mooncakes and lanterns.
It was an enriching experience that allowed me to connect with other expats and immerse myself in the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival in China.
If you ever find yourself in China during this festive season, I highly recommend engaging in local traditions to fully appreciate the culture.
Great job with the mooncakes and lanterns! And a cool newsletter name too :-)