Mid-Autumn Festival: Togetherness in Harmony
As the moon rises high in the night sky, casting its silvery glow over the building, the family of Sampoerna Academy L’Avenue prepare to celebrate one of the most enchanting festivals of the year: The Mid-Autumn Festival. This vibrant celebration falls on the 15th day of the lunar month and is surrounded by rich history, cultural traditions, and a sense of unity that brings people together.
It all started back 2,000 years ago as a post-autumn harvest celebration devoted to thanking the gods. Most scholars believe that the Mid-Autumn Festival first appeared during the Song dynasty, derived from the tradition of worshipping the moon. Among the Chinese, the most popular of all the tales connected to the Mid-Autumn Festival is that of Chang-E, also known as the Moon Lady, and her husband Hou Yi. In the story of Hou Yi, an archer from the Imperial Guard, he saved the earth by shooting down nine of the ten suns and was rewarded by becoming king. However, he became tyrannical. His wife, Chang-E, stole the elixir of life and drank it, ascending to the moon and becoming the Moon Goddess. Hou Yi received a cake from the Queen Mother, enabling him to withstand heat and visit Chang-E during the full moon. In another version, Chang-E swallowed the elixir to protect it from Hou Yi’s disciple, Feng Meng, leading to her eternal separation from Hou Yi.
One of the highlights of the festival is the variety of performances that showcase the incredible talents within our school. This year, Sampoerna Academy at the L’Avenue campus organized amazing performances from ELC to Secondary. For example, grade 7 did a drama for the festival, grade 1 performed Mandarin rhymes, and PreK to K2 danced and sang traditional songs. It was a heartwarming reminder of how creativity blossoms at any age. We also had a Lantern Festival show with LED Lights for all levels, and Grade 8 had a booth for the Mid-Autumn Festival, learning about the Chinese tea culture and eating mooncakes together. It was certainly a very fun experience, watching students learn about the Chinese culture, making this celebration more educational.
The spirits of kindness and generosity flowed through this festival, as the students of Sampoerna Academy L’Avenue came together to give back to those in need - we managed to raise an impressive amount of funds to give to the elderly in a retirement home. The student council spent time to engage and connect with the elderly, sharing laughter and stories, and adding a meaningful touch to the festivities.
As the celebration drew to a close, it was evident that the Mid-Autumn Festival was more than just an event; it was a heartfelt celebration of unity, compassion, and togetherness. The joy of reconnecting with those around us, sharing meals, and spreading kindness left a lasting impression on everyone. This festival reminded us all that, no matter our differences, we are woven together by the threads of community. So, here’s to many more nights of laughter, love, and spirited celebrations in the future!
