October 3rd, 2012 Mid Autumn Day was celebrated at Confucius Institute, Karlstad Unviversity. Cold as it was in Sweden, the celebration activities sponsored by Confucious Institute brought warmth and happiness to over 70 Swedish students, faculty memebers and others from different walks of life.

The celebration of 2012 Mid Autumn Day at Confucius Institute, Karlstad University was composed of two parts. In the first part, faculty members of Confucius Institute and Chinese overseas students introduced to the participants the cultural heritage of Chinese Mid-autumn Festival, illustrating the tradition of the Festival with interesting folk stories, elucidating the famous Chinese lyric poem on the moon, Shui Diao Ge Tou (Prelude to Water Melody), and presenting the unique festival food moon cakes to the audience. Though the introduction and presentation did not take long, they conveyed abundant cultural messages. The audience smiled and laughed understandingly at the stories and illustrations. When the lyric poem, Shui Diao Ge Tou, was being elucidated, the audience followed the instructor earnestly and read the verse “Dan Yuan Ren Chang Jiu, Qian Li Gong Chan Juan” (May we all be blessed with longevity. Though far apart, we are able to share the beauty of the moon together) in chorus, and the sounds reverberated and moved all at the scene. In between the introduction and presentation, Chinese and Sweden students entertained the participants with their little programs. Deeply immersed in the Chinese atmosphere, the audience enjoyed the music and tasted the Chinese flavour around. When a singer started to sing the song “Dan Yuan Ren Chang Jiu” (May we all be blessed with longevity) after the elucidation of the lyric poem, all present voluntarily joined the chorus of ““Dan Yuan Ren Chang Jiu, Qian Li Gong Chang Juan”.

When the first part ended, Mid Autumn moon cakes and tea were served. People sipped at their coffee or tea, took a bite at the moon cakes and other delicacies, and exchanged their understanding of Chinese cultural heritages.

The practice of traditional Chinese calligraphy constituted the second part of the celebration. At the beginning, faculty members of Confucius Institute briefly introduced the essence of traditional Chinese calligraphy and “the four treasures of a study” (stationary for Chinese calligraphy). Then the participants started to learn how to hold and move the brushes and how to write the Chinese character “Yue” (moon). Though the majority had never written anything with Chinese brushes, they were brave enough to make their first move in life. All the Chinese faculty members and overseas students willingly joined them and offered help and guidance in their first attempt. Some rejoiced at their correct postures, some exulted at their success in the formulation of the Chinese character, and some jubilated at the buoyant experience itself. Reluctantly and successfully, the celebration of Mid Autumn Day at Confucius Institute, Karlstad University had to draw the curtain.

Impressed by the celebration, many Sweden friends came to ask us later when the next function would be held. We were happy for their interests in our activities and believe that we would bring more amazing Chinese cultural experience to Sweden and its people.

During the coffee break, everyone enjoying moon cakes and tea while chatting

An excited child holding writing brush

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