Expats in Jiading experience Mid-Autumn festivities

Donning traditional hanfu attire, expats in Shanghai's Jiading district learn to make mooncakes in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]

Over 50 expats and their families gathered at Tongji University's Jiading campus for an immersive cultural event celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. The event aimed to connect international residents with local traditions through a variety of engaging activities.

The day began with a captivating Peking Opera performance, where the lead actress's graceful vocals and expressive gestures quickly won over the audience. Many attendees recorded the performance, eager to capture the beauty of this traditional art form.

Participants then tried their hands at making fish lantern-shaped refrigerator magnets. Attendees of all ages enthusiastically crafted their magnets, with one person from Switzerland remarking, "This is so much fun! I'll proudly display this on my fridge as a special memento from Jiading."

Another highlight was the snow skin mooncake-making workshop. Under the guidance of skilled bakers, families learned to knead dough and fill molds. Young participant Bai Ziyi, covered in flour, excitedly shared, "I made a mooncake for the first time, and it was so much fun!"

The event also offered opportunities to wear traditional hanfu attire, make pearl fans, enjoy traditional tea, and sew osmanthus sachets. "It's like stepping into a living museum," said Ming Xin, a project director at Brose China.

Organizers from Jiading district's talent work bureau said that they hope the event would help international residents feel more at home in Jiading. "We want our international friends to understand and love Jiading," a spokesperson said.

Children take part in Mid-Autumn festivities. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]

Participants experience traditional Chinese culture. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]