Students enjoying the Mid-Autumn Festival (Photo Luca España/The Gettysburgian)
By Laken Franchetti, Contributing Writer
The Vietnamese Student Association and the Chinese Students and Scholars Association co-hosted the Mid-Autumn Festival on September 17 to celebrate the cultures and traditions of numerous Asian countries. The associations define the festival as a celebration of the autumn harvest that “marks a joyous occasion when the work is finished and there’s time to spend with loved ones.” It typically is held on the 15th of the eighth lunar month, which is when the moon is at its fullest.
Students from both associations welcomed visitors and informed them of the traditions that were being celebrated at the festival. The planned activities allowed attendees to experience Asian culture by visiting different tables that displayed options for constructing small, hand-held lanterns, calligraphy lessons, tarot card readings, and trying different foods. The festival also featured a special performance by a K-pop group.
Jessica Chen ’25 said, “I was looking forward to the food and atmosphere because it felt like home.”
Food options included mooncakes, which are a symbol of the full moon and family unity. These cakes, which were distributed throughout the night, are used to express love and best wishes. Another popular item among attendees was bubble tea.
Vietnamese Student Association member Naomi Nguyen ’25 recognized the significance of teaching others about cultures from around the world. She said, “when it comes to being in a new country, I look forward to [teaching] people about Asian culture.”
The arrangement of this celebration of Asian culture required time and effort, with members of the associations traveling to Maryland to reach the nearest Chinese market. For example, the members made an estimated 30 gallons of bubble tea, and they provided food representing different Asian countries.
Chinese Student and Scholar Association member Yihan Wu ’22 saw the event as a traditional festival “that allows students from other countries the opportunity to learn about Asian culture. [The student associations] serve as the bridge between countries to teach others.”
At night, paper lanterns, illuminated by strings of lights, became a prominent feature on Stine Lake. Lanterns served a significant purpose in ancient China as lighting tools, and they have since become a symbol of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
A large crowd of students attended the Mid-Autumn Festival, making it a popular event for learning about Asian traditions and cultures.
