The moon is full at Mid-Autumn, and warmth envelops Maple Leaf.

Dalian Maple Leaf College of Technology held a Mid-Autumn cultural experience activity for international students.

As the golden autumn breeze brings refreshment and the scent of osmanthus fills the air, the warm atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival grew ever stronger. To enable international students to immerse themselves in the charm of China's fine traditional culture and to create a platform for teacher–student communication, on the afternoon of September 24, the School of Continuing Education and International Cooperation and Exchange of Dalian Maple Leaf College of Technology carefully organized a distinctive Mid-Autumn cultural activity. More than 300 international students from over 50 countries—including Russia, Tajikistan, Bangladesh, Yemen, and Côte d'Ivoire—came together to experience the unique appeal of traditional Chinese festivals through a combination of cultural explanation and hands-on practice, joining in a cross-border 'pact of reunion.'

At the beginning of the event, Wang Zhongze, Dean of the School of Continuing Education and International Cooperation and Exchange, extended a warm welcome to the international students. He encouraged the students to wholeheartedly experience traditional Chinese festival culture, actively integrate into campus life, strengthen communication between teachers and students, and enjoy a fulfilling and wonderful time of study on the Maple Leaf campus.

Subsequently, the most anticipated part of the event—making snow skin mooncakes—officially began. Glutinous rice flour, rice flour, fillings, and molds had been prepared on site, and the instructors at each group carefully demonstrated and explained the process of making snow skin mooncakes. The international students, full of enthusiasm and eager to try, kneaded and pressed the skins and wrapped the fillings under the teachers' guidance. From their initial hesitant, tentative attempts to gradually skillful movements, exquisite snow skin mooncakes embossed with patterns such as the Jade Rabbit and osmanthus took shape one after another.

After the mooncake-making session ended, fresh fruit was also prepared on site. Teachers and students tasted the mooncakes and fresh fruit while sharing the festival customs of their hometowns. Some students also presented wonderful performances; everyone sang and danced, and laughter and cheer filled the venue, brimming with a strong Mid-Autumn festive atmosphere.

This activity not only built a bridge for international students to perceive Chinese culture, but also, through the core Mid-Autumn theme of 'reunion,' infused them—far from their homeland—with the warmth of home. It was not merely a festival experience, but a practice through which the International Division of Dalian Maple Leaf College of Technology embodies its educational philosophy of 'educating through culture and warming hearts with affection.' In the future, the college will enrich its cultural activity platforms, helping international students grow from cultural 'experiencers' into cultural 'communicators.' It is hoped that, carrying warm memories and cultural understanding from China, they will become bridges of cross-cultural dialogue, allowing Chinese and foreign friendship to flourish through mutual learning and injecting the vitality of youth into the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

The Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of China's four major traditional festivals. It usually falls on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, and gets its name because it occurs exactly at the midpoint of the three autumn months. It is also known as the 'Mid-Autumn Festival' (Zhongqiu) and the 'Eighth-Month Festival.' Since ancient times, the Mid-Autumn Festival has been associated with customs such as moon-viewing, moon-worshipping, and eating mooncakes. Mooncakes symbolize 'reunion' and are an essential food when families gather. Its origins can be traced back to the moon-worshipping rituals of antiquity; it was established as a nationwide festival in the Tang Dynasty, and after the Song Dynasty the customs of moon-viewing and eating mooncakes gradually became widespread.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of China's four major traditional festivals. It usually falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, and gets its name because this day is exactly in the middle of the three autumn months. It is also known as the "Zhongqiu Festival" (Mid-Autumn Festival in literal translation) and "August Festival". Since ancient times, the Mid-Autumn Festival has been associated with customs such as admiring the moon, worshipping the moon, and eating mooncakes. Mooncakes symbolize "reunion" and are an essential food for family gatherings. The festival's origin can be traced back to the moon-worshipping ceremonies in ancient times; it was established as a national festival in the Tang Dynasty, and after the Song Dynasty, customs like admiring the moon and eating mooncakes gradually became prevalent.

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