On the afternoon of September 23, starting at 1:00 PM, the "Moon-filled Mid-Autumn, Explore Chinese Charm with Hands-on Crafts" cultural experience event was officially launched on the first floor of International Education College. More than 200 international students from dozens of countries gathered here to step into the unique cultural world of China’s Mid-Autumn Festival, moving beyond textbook knowledge to touch the traditions that have been passed down for thousands of years through hands-on creation.
This event focused on two core experience sessions: mooncake making and traditional lantern crafting.
In the moon-cake workshop, instructors demonstrated the whole process of kneading dough, wrapping fillings, pressing patterns and packaging finished products. Many international students making mooncakes for the first time repeatedly examine their freshly demolded finished products, hold them up to compare with the works of their classmates around, and exclamations of amazement break out from time to time at the scene. Everyone is full of curiosity about this holiday treat they made with their own hands.
In the lantern making area, colorful paper, bamboo frames and glowing lights were arranged on the long tables. The students assembled, pasted and drew patterns freely, turning ordinary materials into unique portable lanterns. During the whole process, the venue was filled with laughter and discussions in mixed languages, and many students shared their works on social platforms immediately after finishing.
The event is part of the college’s Chinese language and culture practice series for international students. It not only creates a relaxing and interactive scene for international students to experience traditional Chinese customs, but also helps them deepen their understanding of the cultural connotation behind the Mid-Autumn Festival—the meaning of reunion, gratitude and missing for distant family. Many international students said that this was their first time making mooncakes and lanterns by themselves, and they would take the works back to share with their roommates and friends, so that more people could feel the warmth of this traditional Chinese festival.
