Harvest moon
The Bendigo Chinese Association will host their Annual Harvest Moon Festival to be held at the Dai Gum San Chinese Precinct from 4.00 pm this Saturday 22nd, September 2018.
Family activities commence at 4.00 p.m. with a free Lantern Making Workshop at the Golden Dragon Museum followed by a Chinese Dance Workshop hosted by the BCA Plum Blossom Dance Team at 4.30 p.m.
A Lantern Parade featuring children who participate in the Lantern Making Workshop will be held at 5.15 p.m.
The Bendigo Chinese Association encourages children who are unable to participate in the workshop to make a Chinese lantern at home before the event and arrive in time to participate in the Lantern Parade.
The ’Flight of the Phoenix’, a symbol of harmonious relationships will open the performance schedule at 5.30 p.m. and this year will be accompanied by the Bendigo Chinese Association’s newest parade dragon – Gwong Loong – the Bright Dragon which is 30 metres long.
Entertaining performances of Traditional Chinese Dance and Lion Dance supported by the Karen Bhuddist Dhamma Dhutta Foundation will run until 7.00 p.m.
At the conclusion, members of the public, particularly children will be provided with a ‘selfie opportunity’ with the colourful BCA Chinese lions.
Food and refreshments will be available from 4.30 p.m.
For many cultures throughout the world, Harvest Moon Festival celebrates three fundamental concepts which are closely tied to one another:
The gathering or reunion of family and friends coming together
The giving of thanks for a plentiful harvest and for harmonious relationships
The hope for longevity and prosperity; in essence a good future
The Harvest Moon Festival is a very important celebration for the Chinese people no matter where they live in the world. In China the festival marks when people return home to be with family and friends after the end of harvest season. In Australia, the festival falls during early spring, so for the Chinese of Bendigo and Australia, it holds a special meaning, marking the end of winter.
For more information phone Doug Lougoon, Event Co-ordinator, on 0418 510 025.