Music,
dance performance set for Sept. 25
Dancers, desserts and martial arts. They all are part of the
joyful celebration of the Chinese Moon Festival, an ancient tradition dating
back more than 3,000 years to China’s Zhou Dynasty.
The University of Rhode Island’s Confucius Institute and Chinese
Flagship Program will host their sixth annual celebration of the ancient ritual
with several events and workshops.
Artists from China University of Geoscience will perform
traditional Chinese music and dance on Sept. 25 in Edwards Hall, 44 Upper
College Road on the Kingston campus. An opening reception with traditional
Chinese Moon Cakes – a pastry with a dense, sweet filling – dumplings, spring
rolls, chicken wings and other food will begin at 4:30 p.m., with the dance
performance beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The Moon Festival is one of the most important celebrations in
China – similar to Thanksgiving in the United States. Initially, it was held to
give thanks for the harvest and moon, a symbol of peace, harmony and unity in
Chinese culture.
Over the years, it has evolved into a gathering for family members to eat dinner, make mooncakes, light up Kongming lanterns and celebrate the joy of life. In China, the day is an official holiday off from work.
Over the years, it has evolved into a gathering for family members to eat dinner, make mooncakes, light up Kongming lanterns and celebrate the joy of life. In China, the day is an official holiday off from work.
“That’s the day for families to hold reunions,” said Wayne
Wenchao He, director of URI’s Chinese Language Flagship Program and URI’s
Confucius Institute. “In ancient times, there was no television, so families
came together to sit in the yard, watch the moon and enjoy moon cakes, fruits
and other food.”
Traditionally held on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month of the
calendar, the Chinese Moon Festival will be celebrated a bit later than usual
this year to accommodate the schedule of a native Chinese dance troupe.
There will also be activities including paper folding, paper
cutting and calligraphy. The event is free and open to the public.
In addition to Sunday’s event, master Dong Zeng Chen will
conduct a Tai Chi workshop in the Multicultural Center Oct. 7, from 4 to 6 p.m.
“We invite the community to join us for this joyful and
culturally enlightening event,” He said. “The Moon Festival is a wonderful
celebration in the Chinese culture, and we want to share it with our friends.”