CGTN: CMG Mid-Autumn Festival Gala 2023: Family bonds shine under the full moon

2023-10-02 04:08:14

Peking (ots/PRNewswire) – On September 29, with the start of the Mid-Autumn Festival, China Media Group (CMG) held a Mid-Autumn Gala, bringing together the Chinese people from around the world to celebrate and honor the moon, creating a sense of unity during this festive season to promote.

The gala featured a variety of loving and heartwarming programs that filled the atmosphere with a warm family hug. The event reflected the everyday life of the audience by presenting the perspectives of ordinary people.

The program “Time of Childhood” portrayed the simple and delightful experiences of childhood and highlighted the beauty in its simplicity.

The Father program explored the universal bond of deep love that parents around the world share with their children.

This year, netizens were asked to share a photo with their fathers and tag it with the hashtag “Bring my Dad to CMG’s 2023 Mid-Autumn Festival Gala.” This Photos would then be shown on the stage screen.

Since its launch, the initiative has received nearly 10 million views. Many netizens have enthusiastically shared heartwarming photos expressing their deep feelings and love for their fathers.

Cultural elements in the gala event

This year’s gala revolved around five literary elements: poetry, wine, moon, water and bamboo, the cultural images most commonly found in ancient Chinese poems.

In ancient Chinese history, poetry enjoyed the highest literary prestige. In addition to the concise language and melodic rhythms, the imagery, the so-called Yixiang, served as a crucial and artistic means of conveying complex feelings.

Most ancient poets did not express their feelings directly, but skillfully interwoven hidden emotions and deep meanings with tangible objects and objective scenes through artistic observation and traditional literary perspectives.

In Chinese culture, wine often symbolizes gatherings, celebrations and toasts. More than just a drink, it embodies the act of making connections and celebrating with friends and family.

In Chinese literature and culture, the moon is a recurring motif that embodies concepts such as reunion, change, the passage of time and nostalgia.

In the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the famous poet Zhang Jiuling wrote verses such as: “When the bright moon shines over the sea, you share this moment with me from afar.” These lines reflect the poet’s deep homesickness.

The gala featured programs highlighting the five enduring cultural symbols deeply rooted in Chinese history and providing a glimpse into the ancient civilization along the Yangtze River.

A song titled “Asking Questions to the Moon with a Glass of Wine in Hand” reflects the wine culture in Chinese history. Another song, “Bright Light,” featured lyrics by famous Northern Song Dynasty writer Su Shi ( 960-1127), which address the resilience and unyielding spirit of the Chinese people.

Symbolic meaning of love and reunion

The gala took place in Yibin city, southwest China’s Sichuan province. The main stage was set up in the Yangtze River Park, at the point where the Jinsha and Minjiang rivers converge to form the mighty Yangtze.

Yibin City, known as the “First City on the Yangtze,” has a city building history dating back more than 2,200 years, a tea-growing tradition dating back more than 3,000 years, and a brewing tradition dating back more than 4,000 years.

“Yibin is the homeland of my ancestors. Even though it’s my first time in Lizhuang, I feel very familiar,” said Qin Hao, a performer at the gala.

“In Chinese culture, certain images have universal meaning. Symbols like the moon have resonated with Chinese people across generations,” he said.

The Mid-Autumn Festival holds a special place in the hearts of Chinese people. Throughout history, this festival has been interwoven with Chinese mythology, folklore and poetry, enriching its cultural significance.

This festival is not only about celebrating the moon, but it is also a moment when people show their deepest feelings to their loved ones. It is a time of love, gratitude and appreciation for the enduring bonds of family.

View original content: