The year 2020 is destined to be a great year and a great challenge for China. In the first half of this year, the global COVID-19 outbreak ensued and international political and economic development were seriously affected. A large number of factories were declared bankrupt and closed in China. With the country’s ongoing efforts, China temporarily defeated the virus and finally ushered in a “good omen.” October 1 is the 71st birthday of the motherland and a good day for families. Such National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival are very rare, and there are only four in the 21st century, namely 2001, 2020, 2031, and 2077. For this select reason, the holiday lasts for eight days, allowing the whole nation to have a family reunion and cheer for the country.
On October 1, 1949, the People’s Republic of China was officially established and then decided that October 1 was the National Day. On this auspicious day, the Mid-Autumn Festival and national day meet, enjoy continuous happiness. At this time of national celebration, China’s streets are filled with laughter. Families watched the majestic military parade on TV while relatives and friends gathered around the big round table to make a table of steaming delicious food and drink blessings. After dinner, people look out the window, see the full moon, and eat moon cakes. Moon cakes are combined with various places to form multiple styles like Guangdong style, Beijing style, Su style, etc. A small moon cake reposes people’s profound blessings, which symbolizes family reunion and missing. They are also a significant gift for friends to keep in touch with each other during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
But how did Chinese students spend the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day in Greenville? Lei Wu from Beijing said, “October 1 this year is a little special. It happens to be China’s national day and Mid-Autumn Festival. It’s a pity that I didn’t get together with my family at this unique festival. I spent this mid-autumn festival and national day with my classmates in Greenville. Because there are no national day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays in the United States, this weekend, my friends and I went to St. Louis to buy some ingredients, cooked a meal together, and ate moon cakes. It was regarded as a complete Mid-Autumn Festival and national day.”
Zifeng Zheng from Guangdong said, “I asked some students in Greenville to play mahjong, eat moon cakes, and watch the military parade at these two festivals. The military parade is a must-see program on every national day. It is a traditional ceremony in our country. Of course, in the Mid-Autumn Festival, I also have to eat moon cakes, symbolizing family reunion. I especially like to eat egg yolk moon cakes; the outside is sweet, and the inside is salty, very special. I enjoyed the event very much.”
Everyone has different ways to share their joy. Most Chinese students in Greenville choose to stay with their friends to celebrate the holiday and free themselves from studying. Particularly, it is most important to arrange a time for the Chinese students to celebrate together. The beginning of 2020 seems not to be smooth, but with the good omen of the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, many believe students will be safe and happy in the following days.
