The first session of Ling College's "The Poem of Life and Time" lecture series—"The Story of Mid-Autumn"—was successfully held on September 27th. Professor LU Zongli, the Master of Ling College, guided the audience through the origins and cultural significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival, offering new insights into this familiar holiday. The event also featured booths where attendees could experience various traditional activities, as well as a tea break, creating a lively atmosphere that heightened anticipation for the upcoming double holiday.

Before the talk began, the booths were bustling with activity:

Riddle Guessing: Collaboration brought forth the answers, revealing the clever mysteries behind each riddle.

Pitch-Pot: Focus and hesitation, with success or failure hinging on a single moment.

Tea Brewing and Wine Tasting: The warmth of black tea and the crispness of osmanthus wine highlighted the refined enjoyment in each sip.

Mooncake Making: Sweetness filled the air, symbolizing unity and togetherness.

Students participating in the various activities at each booth could collect sheet music of fragments, which they could exchange for exquisite gifts such as sachets, lanterns, and fans at the prize booth.

Discussing Festivals and Talking About Mid-Autumn

To talk about the Mid-Autumn Festival, one must first discuss the origins of traditional Chinese festivals. Master LU began with the character "节" (jié), explaining the close relationship between festivals, seasonal periods, and the lunar calendar. He then elaborated on how festivals evolved from "worshiping gods" to "entertaining people" as the economy developed and cultures merged. Today, our love for and anticipation of festivals is deeply connected to the cultural significance we assign to them.

When introducing the Mid-Autumn Festival, Master LU traced the evolution of the character "秋" (qiū) and illustrated the rich cultural significance of the festival from agriculture to literature and folk traditions. He also introduced unique Mid-Autumn customs, such as "Walking Under the Moon," offerings to the "Lord Rabbit," and "Stealing Melons to Worship the Moon," broadening the audience's understanding.

During the interactive session, both teachers and students eagerly participated. Everyone put forth their best effort in answering trivia questions to win the "Lord Rabbit" souvenirs. The event ended on a high note, achieving great success.