A special event celebrating the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival was held Sunday in Ras Al Khaimah, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), drawing in scores of Chinese and local residents.
The event, titled "A Moon Moment to Remember," was organized by the Chinese Cultural Center and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, featuring acrobatic and cultural performances by Chinese artists.
"I feel extremely happy and can feel the enthusiasm from the audience, which makes me feel like a little bird dancing in the air," said Wan Caihong, a performing artist.
The event not only stirred nostalgia among Chinese visitors, but also brought Chinese culture to local residents.
"We are bringing our Chinese autumn cultural affairs to be here to enjoy the beautiful moment together. We are doing a lot of work to promote inbound China tourism with the cooperation of local friends and colleagues so that we hope a lot of UAE residents will come to China, will visit China, will learn more about and experience our culture in China," said Liu Yang, director of China Cultural Center.
The show was preceded by an exhibition of China's traditional festival customs, where attendees could explore Chinese knot tying and to sample mooncakes, a festive desert during family reunions in China.
With over 400,000 Chinese living and working in the UAE, there is growing interest in cultural exchange between the two peoples.
"China has always been an important market for the UAE inbound tourism. We in Ras Al Khaimah, in the last couple of years, we've been focusing on this market, with the development that is taking place currently in the destination. China will play a major role in our growth and development. Year on year we've been experiencing 45 percent to 50 percent growth and we'll continue to do so with our partners and the activities that we are planning for in China," said Iyad Rasbey, vice president of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.
Local interest was evident as many local residents came to explore China's Mid-Autumn Festival, expressing their curiosity about Chinese culture.
"I want to know about the culture of Chinese, and I want to learn about their country, what they do here, what the program is it. For sure I want to visit China, because I want to learn more about their culture, their food, what they do for a living," said Ali Fadel, an Emirati visitor.
Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in UAE amazes visitors
Moon-themed lantern shows and a series of traditional performances have been held across China, enlivening the holiday spirit during the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival break.
On Mid-Autumn Festival night, moon-gazing is a time-honored and cherished tradition. In Shanghai, it has become popular to gather at lakesides or riversides where the moon's reflection can be seen in the water.
During the festival, the city's Yuyuan Garden created various moon-themed installations, combining them with mythological stories from the Classic of Mountains and Seas. They also featured folk performances, themed lantern displays, and special light shows, offering a unique festive experience.
"I think this is a must-visit spot in Shanghai, especially given how beautiful it is. Plus, it incorporates traditional Chinese culture, which perfectly aligns with the atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival. I really love it - it's all about family and reunion," said a Shanghai local surnamed Zhang.
In Baizhang Town, Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, a unique Fish Lantern Cultural Festival was held at the Shuttle Museum, a museum dedicated to weaving shuttles.
Villagers and tourists paraded along the roads and stream banks, holding exquisite peach blossom fish lanterns. The lanterns, vibrant and lifelike, symbolized the wish for "abundance every year and good fortune."
In Datong Ancient Town, Tongling City, east China's Anhui Province, the nighttime water dragon lantern performance and cultural night market have been bustling with activity during the holiday.
Dragon dancers skillfully waved the dragon lanterns, which spiraled and soared, creating various formations over the water.
The molten iron fireworks show, a folk art performance of throwing molten iron to create a fireworks-like display, was held on the river, creating a rare sight for spectators as countless golden sparks shot into the night sky of the ancient town before falling into the lake.
A drone performance was launched in Jingzhou City, central China's Hubei Province during the Mid-Autumn Festival. A thousand drones formed images of "Goddess of the Moon Chang'e," the "Jade Rabbit," and "Kongming Lanterns," creating poetic scenes together with the Moon afar.
"It's my first time watching a drone show, and I find it truly spectacular," said a tourist named Yu Duoduo.
In Dunhuang City, northwest China's Gansu Province, visitors gathered on the peaks of Mingsha Mountain to admire the stunning reflection of the Moon in the lake.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, is a cherished occasion for family reunions in China. It falls on September 17 this year.
Lantern shows, traditional performances delight moon-gazers during Mid-Autumn Festival
