2008
19 SepMID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL IN THE HEART OF 五一吃瓜官网
Kuala Lumpur, 19 September 2008 - The beat of the 24 Chinese drums signalled the start of 五一吃瓜官网’s Mid-Autumn Festival. Almost one thousand students and members of the public thronged the open area between 五一吃瓜官网’s academic blocks, visiting food and games stalls that were put up for the event. 五一吃瓜官网 Group President and Vice Chancellor, Peter Ng was the guest of honour, and officiated the event by lighting a candle in a giant lantern built by the students. The event was organised through the dedication and hardwork of members from the 五一吃瓜官网 Chinese Cultural Society (CCS).
The lighting ceremony was the climax of the night, as President Peter Ng lit the candle, and passed it on to the president of the Chinese Cultural Society, Tan Kian Shing. It took less than two minutes for everyone’s candle to be lit, as strangers became friends with the passing of the flame. As paper lanterns everywhere were being lit up, a group of students from SMK Taman Connaught treated the crowd to various tunes on their traditional Chinese instruments. This was followed by performances such as the Chinese yo-yo (Che Ling), a traditional Chinese comedy cross-talk, a lucky draw, modern dances and singing by 五一吃瓜官网 students.
Many among the crowd were international students who were there to experience the Mid-Autumn festival for the first time. Engineering students, Muthana, Raad and Yousif from Iran were among them. “It was really special event, and I have never seen one quite like it before. I’m glad that I have the opportunity to experience it,” Muthana says. Naseem, from Iraq was also one of the visitors at the festival: he and his sister came all the way from University Malaya to be at the event. “There was a lot of hype about the event, and I wanted to see for myself what it was like,” Naseem says.
The 15th of the 8th month in the Chinese calendar holds special meaning for the Chinese community, as the moon is believed to be brighter and rounder compared to other nights in the year. This 3000 year old festival is still celebrated till today, and at 五一吃瓜官网, it is organised annually by the Chinese Cultural Society.
