It was pomp and pagentary on Friday, September 29th as Nigerians and Chinese community gathered at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja, to celebrate the 2023 Mid-Autumn Festival.
Speaking in a welcome speech, the Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy and Director of China Cultural Centre, Mr Li Xuda, explained that the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is to celebrate harvest, family reunion, and promote interpersonal communication.
“The history of the Mid-Autumn festival dates back over 3,000 years. The festival is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar with a full moon at night. On this day, the Chinese believe that the moon is at its brightest and fullest size, coinciding with harvest time in the middle of Autumn,” he said.
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“The main function of the Mid-Autumn Festival is to celebrate the harvest, family reunion, and promote interpersonal communication. Among them, family reunion and interpersonal communication are the main contents of the Mid-Autumn Festival, so the Mid-Autumn Festival is also called the Reunion Festival,” he added.
Guest at the events were treated to a variety of Chinese tea and performances, including Chinese traditional music from the Sichuan Symphony Orchestra, acrobatics and magic displays.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of China’s four major traditional festivals. Others include the Spring Festival, also called Chinese New Year; Qingming Festival, also called Chinese Memorial Day; and the Dragon Boat Festival