International Students Enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival in Shenyang by Making Mooncakes and Calligraphy

Recently, 6 international students studying in Shenyang have visited Shenyang Qixin Culinary Art School. Right here, they learned about customs of China's Mid-Autumn Festival, practiced writing with  Chinese brush, and enjoyed making Cantonese-style mooncakes.

International students are taking part in activities at the Mid-Autumn Festival. [Photo by Song Jun]

"I love Chinese culture so much and I extremely look forward to making mooncakes", Martin from the Democratic Republic of the Congo told CRI Online Liaoning. He was rather excited to take part in "Meeting Friends from Afar, Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival", an event held by Information Office of Liaoning Provincial People's Government and organized by CRI Online Liaoning.

Tang Fengyan, Office Director of the Association of Calligraphers and Painters, Liaoning Federation of Industry and Commerce, told the international students the origin and connotations of the Mid-Autumn Festival. "The Mid-Autumn Festival symbolizes reunion, and mooncakes will bring happiness to the whole family".

Tang Fengyan provided ink and paper, teaching the international students to write the four Chinese characters of "Hua Hao Yue Yuan", blooming flowers and full moon which symbolize perfect conjugal bliss.

International students are showcasing the Chinese characters of "Hua Hao Yue Yuan" they have written with Chinese brush. [Photo by Song Jun]

Each two of the students formed a group, and then they started to make mooncakes. When the baked mooncakes came out, Martin and Li Wenlong who comes from Thailand could not wait to taste the food made by themselves. "They taste so amazing. I will bring them back and share with my friends", said Martin happily.

Martin (left) and Bai Shuqing from Madagascar are making mooncakes together. [Photo by Song Jun]

Bai Shuqing, an international student from Madagascar, noted with excitement: "What a meaningful event! I can not only learn about customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival but also taste the mooncakes made by myself at the festival this year".