Mid-Autumn Festival Wrap-up: A Cultural Journey
The delightful Mid-Autumn Festival has drawn close, enriching attendees with a deep appreciation for Chinese traditions and heritage. Held at Powis Hall, Bangor University, on 29th September, this cultural celebration was a booming success, offering a captivating blend of art, culture, and history. We were thrilled to have our China in Wales Association colleagues join us and present a charming workshop on crafting Chinese lanterns.
The festival's highlights were a testament to the vibrancy of Chinese culture:
Dance Performance: Grace and storytelling merged seamlessly as a dancer transported the audience through the legends and tales of ancient China. Her performances were a testament to the power of movement as a universal language.
Tai Chi Performance: Under the serene guidance of our Tai Chi master, attendees found balance and tranquillity, demonstrating the timeless appeal of this practice in promoting physical well-being and inner harmony.
Calligraphy and Chinese Knot Workshops: Aspiring artists and enthusiasts had the opportunity to delve into Chinese calligraphy, a journey into the beauty of this intricate art form. Meanwhile, with their rich symbolism, Chinese knots came to life in the hands of participants as they created their own unique pieces.
Paper Cutting Workshop: The delicate craft of paper cutting unfolded before participants' eyes, offering them a chance to master this age-old technique that has passed through generations. The intricate designs crafted during the workshop were a testament to creativity and tradition.
The Mid-Autumn Festival in Bangor was a delightful journey into Chinese culture, leaving a lasting impact on attendees of all ages. As Mike Pattison, one of the event's attendees, aptly said, "Absolutely fantastic to see so many authentic Chinese arts and crafts and spectacular dancers here in Bangor!" This quote vividly expresses the awe and appreciation felt by those who had the opportunity to experience the event.
For Ellie, the festival was an opportunity to explore and learn about Chinese traditions in depth. She enthusiastically shared, "I went from stall to stall, and it was really interesting, informative, and new! I'd heard of the Mid-Autumn Festival before, but it was great to hear more about the celebration – especially the story of the moon, the rabbit, and the reason for the moon cake."
Chiara, studying in Bangor for a semester, found the festival particularly captivating. She remarked, "I really enjoyed it, particularly the dancing. I dance in Italy, and it was so good to see a different kind of movement and to learn about the spiritual side of the dance."
Caitlin's enjoyment of the event centred around the vibrant performances, as she stated, "It was really great; I especially enjoyed the dancing and the lantern-making!"
Danah, on the other hand, embraced the opportunity to try new things and expand her horizons. She mentioned, "I'd never tried Tai Chi before, so that was really good, and I really liked learning about the poetry and the moon. I'd never seen Chinese dancing before, so that was really interesting, and it was great to try it, but a challenge to remember all the moves!"
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this event, from performers and workshop leaders to the dedicated volunteers and enthusiastic participants. Together, we celebrated diversity and forged cross-cultural connections, embodying the spirit of unity and appreciation.
For a glimpse of the festival's moments, please visit our .