By Zhu Hongmei
14 SEPT, 2023
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, a special celebration event was held in Shenyang. This event, organized by the Information Office of the Liaoning Provincial People’s Government and co-hosted by the Information Office of the Shenyang Municipal People’s Government and the International Online Liaoning Channel, was attended by representatives from the Ireland-Sino Institute, and nationals from five other countries including Germany, the United States, Syria, Yemen, and Iran.
To better experience Chinese culture and immerse themselves in the ceremonial atmosphere of the historic Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, foreign attendees donned Hanfu attire. “It feels like we’ve traveled back to ancient China. I absolutely love this outfit, it’s so beautiful,” remarked the three sisters from the USA, as they posed for pictures with their fans.
Guided by the pastry chef, the international guests learned how to knead dough, use molds, and started making mooncakes filled with lotus seed paste.
“Trying the mooncakes we made for the first time was an amazing experience – they’re really delicious!” exclaimed Qihang, a Yemeni student at China Medical University, speaking fluently in Chinese. His brother, Qifan, also experiencing his first Mid-Autumn Festival in China, expressed his admiration for Chinese culture and his affection for Shenyang, hoping to one day bring their parents to live here.
Setanta McCarthy, a sixth-grader originally from West Cork, Ireland, has grown up in China since his early childhood. At a recent event, he skillfully played the erhu, a traditional Chinese two-stringed instrument, captivating the audience with a unique fusion of Irish and Chinese melodies.
His performance, blending the distinct musical cultures of his Irish heritage and Chinese upbringing, not only earned him a round of enthusiastic applause from those present but also captured the hearts of a broader national audience.
Setanta’s talent in seamlessly merging these diverse musical styles symbolized a beautiful blend of cultural harmony, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who witnessed his performance.
The atmosphere at the event was lively, and as the evening unfolded, it slowly turned into night. The lights along the Hun River shone brightly, making the Shengjing Grand Theater stand out like a sparkling jewel against the night sky, with its glow reflecting off the river’s waves alongside the luminous full moon.
To deepen their experience of the traditional charm of “The Moonlit River Cruise” the international guests embarked on a ferry ride along the Hun River.
Patrick from the Ireland Sino Institute, who has resided in Shenyang for eleven years, remarked that the nighttime vista of the Hun River is quite captivating, “almost like a scene from a movie.”
Patrick marvels at the remarkable transformations that have occurred in Shenyang over the last 11 years, expressing, “I have witnessed Shenyang’s rapid development, and now I consider Shenyang my homeland!”
Patrick notes that in ancient China, upon encountering beautiful scenery, people would be inspired to compose poems. Embracing this tradition, he penned a poem dedicated to Shenyang and shared it on his WeChat moments.
Shenyang, where the Shen River gleams,
City of dreams, of vibrant themes.
Skyscrapers tall and history deep,
Where past and future seamlessly seep.
Its people strong, their spirits bright,
Inventive minds take flight each night.
In every heart, a proud song rings,
Of the joy and hope Shenyang brings.
From the palace walls, whispers of the past,
To the bustling markets, impressions vast.
Shenyang, a city beautifully spun,
A tale of unity, of many made one.
“Shenyang is my dream city, and I will always treasure this metropolis!” Patrick declared, deeply moved.
