The Moon Festival is one of the most important traditional events in Chinese culture. We celebrate abundance and togetherness, we contemplate the full moon with our family and friends, and remember our old friends in faraway places. This year, the Tri-City Chinese Association held the annual Moon Festival (Mid-autumn Festival) event on September 22, at the Griswold Communications Center, on the campus of Northwood University. Many, many thanks to Viviane and the Northwood Intercultural Club (NIC) who were our hosts, and to the NU Media Services who provided multi–media equipment.

The main event started around 7:00pm, when the Griswold Dining Hall became packed with some 200 people from the tri-city area. The setting is a bright, cozy, round-shaped hall with a cupola ceiling. Guests seated at round tables along the perimeter all had a good view of the large projection screen. The reception’s buffet line, set up in the adjacent lobby, was loaded with an abundance of delicious food waiting for our guests. The focus of the refreshments were the traditional moon cakes provided by TCCA; the great variety of desserts were provided by TCCA members and guests. The appearance of the buffet was mouth watering, and guests were not disappointed when they tasted the goodies. The only dilemma was which one to select.

As soon as guests sat at their table with a full plate in front of them, the moon festival entertainment started. Original lanterns created by TCCA families were now hanging around the hall, gently swinging as if greeting everybody and wishing them happiness and harmony. Ying and Du Juan explained and recited the famous poem by Su Dong Po, Shui Diao Ge Tou, both in Cantonese and in Mandarin. No words can better echo our awed yet slightly sad feelings towards missing friends and family members living thousands of miles away. This poem, written a thousand years ago, still vividly sings of humanity’s eternal attachment to the homeland, and of the everlasting bonds of love and friendship shining under the beautiful autumn moon. Soon everybody in the room was reciting this poem as one united voice.

The riddles and quick wits skits prepared by Ying and Pengfei brought the audience to a much lighter mood and a lot of laughter. Winners of the riddles and word puzzles were rewarded with loud applause and a small gift. Talents were featured : a young violinist enthralled the crowd with fast virtuoso pieces, and a Chinese painting exhibit by Miss Hsiu-Hsia Chiu (Rose Chiu), an artist from Taiwan, was open to all in the upper lobby. We also enjoyed karaoke singing, especially a couple of Peking Opera songs interpreted by Iris’ parents.

Many members and guests expressed their appreciation for a memorable night. For the TCCA committee, this is the best positive reinforcement we could receive for the effort invested in the event’s preparation.