Deja Pearce
November 8,2024The autumn festival gathers light lanterns every year to admire the fullest moon of the year. This year’s festival happened on september 17, 2024 in chinatown philadelphia where some of Carver’s students gathered to celebrate the year harvest
Festival perfomers dressed up as dragons performing.Photo taken by Yun Zeng.
The Mid-Autumn festival is a harvest festival celebrated in chinese culture.Its held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the chinese lunisolar calendar with a full moon at night. The celebration includes paper lanterns fairs and lion dance parades.
For some carver students, including Kimberly Zang the annual festival has become a tradition that she looks forward to every year.“I just love the vibe, the overall environment of everything i’m with like my friends all there, the music, the loud activities and i’ve been going since I was a kid.”
Making and sharing mooncakes is one of the hallmark traditions of this festival. In Chinese culture, a round shape symbolizes completeness and reunion. Thus, the sharing and eating of round mooncakes among family members during the week of the festival signifies the completeness and unity of families. Ivan Chen from 11th grade ate a few of the mooncakes while being at the festival.
“The moon cakes are pretty good, they're like a pastry with different types of fillings.”
E&S Male students that experienced the fall festival.Photo taken by Yun Zeng.
E&S Students getting ready to participate in the latern activity.Photo taken by yun zeng.
The Crowd of the festival.Photo taken by Yun Zeng.
The Fall Festival performers getting ready to put on a performance.
For other Carver students including Annalise Whitaker, a one day long festival proves to be meaningful by highlighting the diverse demographics of the city. Whitaker said that she appreciates the cultural diversity and modern expressions despite the crowd. She also appreciated the informative and visually beautiful aspects including food, decorations and attire.
"It made me feel included and getting to try one of the dishes … was really good and it was like it was pushing me out of my comfort zone to try something new and I actually enjoyed it,” said Whitaker”
Lots of people in Chinatown are celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. The event, which is also known as the Moon or Mooncake Festival, is the second biggest after the Lunar New Year.
It was really crowded , but it was nice seeing other people from a different culture express it, especially in such a modern way,” said Whitaker
E&S Students having fun at the festival.Photo taken by Yun Zeng.
Few students from Carver decided to go to the mid-autumn festival in Chinatown Philadelphia with Ms. Zeng, although the students that did attend enjoyed it.
"I got to share the moment with my friend as well as my teacher and her culture," said Whitaker
Still, Attend these like Whitaker with hope that the festival lasts longer than one day.
“I wish I could’ve stayed longer but it was getting late and it was really crowded but it was really nice. I'd recommend If you’re interested, you should definitely go". Said Whitaker
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