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Chinese festival takes the cake |
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| Article :MoonCake Update :2007-9-14 8:38:35 |
 WHITTLESEA'S 3000-plus Chinese population will be moon gazing later this month as they hark back to their heritage and celebrate the annual Moon Cake Festival.
The festival, which is held on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar – and always coincides with a full moon – is likely to be a light and colour-filled event.
Children will take part in a lantern parade, displaying their homemade lantern designs as onlookers enjoy food inspired by the world's most populous country. Moon cake – a traditional treat filled with sesame seeds, ground lotus seeds and duck egg yolks – is a must for the menu on the evening.
There will also be Chinese music, calligraphy demonstrations, costumes and dance.
The president of the Whittlesea Chinese Association, Arthur Yong, said the lantern parade would be a highlight. Traditional plain lanterns would be displayed alongside more elaborate, animal-shaped designs that are often half the size of the person carrying them.
The festival is based around ancient legend that commemorates Chinese independence from Mongolian rule hundreds of years ago.
One legendary story suggests that battle plans for a secret rebellion were baked into moon cakes, with lanterns used as signalling devices from hilltops and high ground.
Mr Yong said the event was important for people Chinese people, and people of Chinese descent, because it was an opportunity for families to get together. "It's like a reunion festival," he said.
This year's Moon Cake Festival will be held at the Thomastown Library in Main St, starting at 7pm, with the lantern parade from 8.30pm. The day before the festival, there will be a Chinese lantern-making class at the Mill Park Library – and there will also be a display of Chinese orna-
ments and photos from previous festivals in the days leading up to the event.
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| ArticleInputer:admin Editor:admin |
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