China Media Group (CMG)'s 2024 Mid-Autumn Festival Gala will heighten traditional festive atmosphere and feature reunion, through programs integrating traditional culture and modern elements.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the night when the moon reaches its fullest and brightest on the 15th day of the eighth month on the lunar calendar. This year, the day falls on Sept 17. During the festival, families reunite, admire the moon, share moon cakes and light up lanterns.
The main stage for this year's festival gala has been set on the lakeside of Dingxiang Lake in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, blending real-life scenery with modern technology. CMG has started recording the gala in Shenyang, following the completion of the grand main stage.
Centered around the theme of the moon culture, the gala will blend traditional customs, nostalgia, patriotism and ethnic spirit, featuring a diverse range of performances, including singing and dancing, symphonic music, and traditional opera.
"We will sing a very lively song at the gala. Every time we gather together, it's really about sharing more happiness with the audience," said Kang Hui, a CMG host participating in the gala together with three of his colleagues.
"I hope to convey warmth to the audience. For those who can't reunite with their families during the festival, I hope they'll find a bit of comfort," said Chen Chusheng, a singer participating in the gala.
Most of the performances will be presented in pairs, blending old faces and first-time participants.
The interaction between traditional and modern elements will also add more originality and surprises to the performances.
"We have added something new to the performance at this year's gala by integrating popular music with traditional operatic singing. The stage also creates an environment of a bright moon, green mountains and clear water," said Chen Lijun, a Yue opera actor participating in the gala.
2024 Mid-Autumn Festival Gala heightens festivity, reunion
Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Gilles Carbonnier, emphasized the critical need for political solutions to humanitarian crises, as the world has been grappled with conflicts.
In an interview with China Media Group (CMG) at the 11th Xiangshan Forum, Carbonnier, a seasoned participant, called for the imperative implementation of the Geneva Conventions.
"But there is no humanitarian solutions to humanitarian crisis. We must find political solutions. My main message is that the Geneva Conventions that are just turning 75 years this year must be implemented in armed conflicts, even in these situations, and this has to become a political priority," said Carbonnier.
Reflecting on the ongoing humanitarian challenges amidst the year-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Carbonnier shed light on the ICRC's relentless efforts in Gaza.
"Our teams have been working at 24 hours, seven days a week, to try to do all we can to bring medical assistance to the people in Gaza. That hostages must be released without condition and that we have asked to have access to be able to ascertain their conditions and provide medical assistance as need be," said Carbonnier.
In recognition of China's significant contributions to global peace efforts, Carbonnier commended the nation's active role in advocating for civilian protection and its extensive involvement in peacekeeping missions worldwide.
"China is a major player on the world scene and we have seen, for example, in New York, [China] is a permanent member of the UN security council, Chinese representatives speaking out very clearly, for instance, for the protection of civilians. And we also see that China is very much involved with peacekeepers. PLA is involved with peacekeepers across the world. [China] is a very important contributing nation," said Carbonnier.
Noting the plight of displaced refugees remains a pressing concern, Carbonnier said the ICRC has been working with all parties worldwide to reunite families torn apart by conflicts.
"And I can tell you that the most emotional part of our job is when we are able to reunite children with their parents. So we are working globally with national society, clarify the fate of missing people and reunite families. We need bridges to be built and solutions to be found to deescalate and to find an enabling environment for peace and for stability," said Carbonnier.
The three-day forum opened on Thursday in Beijing, attracting more than 500 representatives of official delegations from more than 100 countries and international organizations, and over 200 experts and scholars, to discuss global security.
At the forum, Carbonnier delivered a speech on the topic of the international mechanism and the global security governance.
ICRC vice president calls for political solution to humanitarian crises
