Our Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations at Queenswood were fantastic fun this week as our students enjoyed lantern making, moon gazing and traditional Chinese tea. Mymwood Boarding House was spectacularly decorated for the occasion by our dedicated Boarding Team, and the pupils joined together in true community spirit to share this very special day. Our Year 7 Newsletter Club reporters Miri and Lily, share their account of the festivities below.

REPORT BY MIRI R and LILY S, NEWSLETTER CLUB
PHOTOGRAPH BY ISABELLA W, YEAR 13

On the 17 September 2024, Queenswood celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival. The very sweet Jeannie J from 8CN, welcomed us and agreed to answer our questions. She explained the myth, the reasons for the festival and last but not least, the traditional foods. On the night of the festival it is tradition to stay up late and moon gaze for hours. Legend has it that if you look closely enough, you can see a woman with a bunny on the moon.

The myth behind it all...

A vain and selfish King creates a potion that will give him immortal life. Soon after, the Queen steals this potion. The moment this drink touched her lips, she ascended to the moon where to this day you can still see her figure with a bunny.

What is the traditional food to eat on this special day?

The traditional food to eat is a delicious mooncake. People eat this to symbolise the myth. There are three different types of mooncakes: A flaky type, the traditional type, and one that is filled with ice cream. The Chinese people also eat fresh pears and they will serve candy to cheer up the children who don’t want mooncakes.

Is it the same day every year?

The festival is on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, typically falling in late September or early October.

What is Jeannie’s favourite thing about this festival?

Jeannie’s favourite thing about the Mid-Autumn Festival is the ice cream mooncake. I have no doubt that she enjoys every bit of this exciting day.

If students would like to enjoy a movie which features the Mid-Autumn Festival, Over the Moon is currently showing on Netflix.