As Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day were approaching, the International School of Tongji University held the Hand-made Mid-Autumn Cakes under the same moon, Pray for the World Unity activity in the Xiyuan Canteen on September 29 in order to enhance international students’ understanding of Chinese traditional culture and the new era of China. Students celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day together. 

Teacher BIAN Shushu teaching traditional Chinese culture

The activity started with a unique cultural experience class. Teacher BIAN Shushu and a student named Moon from Turkey introduced the Chinese traditional cultures to students online and offline via live demonstrations and a Q&A forum, and also introduced the origin of moon cakes and other Chinese Mid-Autumn traditions such as burning incense and praying during Mid-Autumn Festival, worshiping the moon, and walking three bridges. These have deepened international students’ understanding of the cultural connotation of the Mid-Autumn Festival, and ended with the romantic love story of Chang'e Flying to the Moon which added to the mythological charm of the Chinese culture. The College also invited international students Aida, Younis, and Armindo to introduce the Mid-Autumn Festival in the French, Arabic, and Portuguese languages, respectively, to help students from different countries learn and understand more easily.

Chef Hui introducing how to make Su-style moon cakes

Chef Hui from the Xiyuan Canteen gave a detailed introduction to the making of Jiangsu Province-style moon cakes. The students tried to make moon cakes under the guidance of the masters. Weighing, rolling, wrapping, curling, waking up, and stuffing, the students were a little clumsy at first but became more proficient with practice and the dough also changed from their initial "various forms" to the standard forms which were more beautiful and full. The students were enthusiastic, exchanging production tips with each other, and there was much laughter at the event.

Students making moon cakes

While baking the mooncakes, the students wrote their Mid-Autumn Festival blessings to overseas students and family members on postcards and expressed their yearning for a happy life. They also learned from teacher BIAN and recited the classic poems of Thinking ofthe Man Far Away in the Moonlight and The Mid-Autumn Festival Tun from which to appreciate the ancients' desire for reunion.

Students writing postcards to express their blessings

Within a few minutes, the fragrant moon cakes came out of the oven. The students tasted the moon cakes they made by themselves. They were full of praise: "I have been at Tongji for a month, and today's Mid-Autumn Festival is very interesting!" "I've heard of it--about the love story of Chang'e, but had never tasted moon cakes.” Theresa from Angola gave a thumbs up while tasting moon cakes.“I hope the global pandemic will end soon and we can reunite with family and friends. Taste delicious Chinese moon cakes!”

Students tasting their hand-made moon cakes

At present, teachers shared with international students China's process and efforts in fighting the new crown pneumonia pandemic. From their own experiences and feelings, the students expressed their gratitude to China for helping the world fight the pandemic. The students said the Mid-Autumn Festival is China's reunion festival. This year, they are very happy to enjoy moon cakes at Tongji. They hope the Full Moon will pass their blessings to every corner of the world. They also hope the international students from our school will reunite on campus as soon as possible so they can recite poems and appreciate the moon hand in hand and heart to heart. And finally, they can appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese culture and China in the new era together!

We made it!

Source: https://news.tongji.edu.cn/info/1002/75179.htm