So that every child can truly enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival

Mid-Autumn Festival is an opportunity to educate children about life lessons and culture, and also an opportunity for everyone to learn to slow down...

The teacher captured this adorable moment of the children on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival. (Photo: Kim Ngan)

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the streets become more bustling and vibrant with star-shaped lanterns, traditional lanterns, and many children's toys. But nowadays, the Mid-Autumn Festival is no longer just for children; it's also a festival for adults, a reunion festival for every family.

In his letter to children and teenagers on the occasion of the 2023 Mid-Autumn Festival, President Vo Van Thuong wrote : “The Mid-Autumn Festival is also a festival of love and sharing, an opportunity for adults to remind themselves to care more about children with love, responsibility, and practical actions. Especially, we should care for children in difficult circumstances, orphans, children in remote areas, border regions, and islands… so that all children can celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival fully and completely, and can study, create, and play in the love of their families and communities...”.

"Time may pass, the Mid-Autumn Festival feast has changed a lot, and the games have become more diverse. However, the essence of the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival seems to remain intact."

Recalling the excitement of the Mid-Autumn Festival in the past, when there weren't as many types of cakes and sweets as there are now, the moon-gazing feast mainly consisted of homegrown produce. Adults and children alike gathered together under the full moon. Even so, these simple things became a source of immense happiness. Children carried paper lanterns and paraded through the neighborhood. My childhood is intertwined with such autumns, simple yet lively and warm.

A creative Mid-Autumn Festival feast prepared by the children's class. (Photo: Phuong Ly)

It seems we've all experienced days like these. Everyone has their own memories of colorful Mid-Autumn Festivals.

The Mid-Autumn Festival today is very different from the past. Economic development has given people more choices for gifts, toys, and moon-gazing items, with various forms of celebration. From villages to neighborhoods and schools, there are stages of all sizes. Parents work together creatively to prepare special fruit platters for their children to enjoy.

"Memorable moments will stay with children throughout their lives. Sometimes, it doesn't have to be expensive gifts; it could simply be a moment when children get to explore, participate in activities like making mooncakes, or create their own lanterns under the guidance of their teacher. That's what truly makes Mid-Autumn Festival for them."

Moreover, the Mid-Autumn Festival is no longer just for children; it's also a time for family reunion, an occasion for all family members to gather together and share beautiful moments. Time may pass, the Mid-Autumn feast has changed considerably, and the games have become more diverse. Nevertheless, the essence of the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival seems to remain intact.

Today's Mid-Autumn Festival feast includes many modern cakes and fruits, but it cannot lose the presence of star-shaped lanterns, traditional lanterns, pomelos, persimmons, guavas, and trays of traditional baked and sticky rice cakes. People freely get creative, carving pomelos into lively rabbits and mice; dragon fruits into goldfish, bitter melons into hedgehogs… to create a vibrant and diverse feast to welcome the full moon.

At the preschool where my child attends, the two teachers and the parent committee put a lot of effort into organizing the Mid-Autumn Festival. The children got to carry lanterns, enjoy the feast, and listen to traditional folk songs. Seeing their joyful faces, I knew the Mid-Autumn Festival was a success. I think such memorable moments will stay with my children throughout their lives.

Sometimes, it doesn't have to be expensive gifts; it could simply be a moment of discovery for children, participating in traditional baking activities, or making their own lanterns under the guidance of their teacher. That's what a child's Mid-Autumn Festival truly is.

The teacher had the children participate in the lion dance. (Photo: Phuong Ly)

Some say that children today have to rush from one Mid-Autumn Festival to another: at school, at their parents' workplaces, and in their neighborhoods. But how can the Mid-Autumn Festival truly reach every child? Letting children hear the legend of Cuoi and Hang is an opportunity for them to understand more about moral stories, helping them accumulate skills, build confidence, and learn to share.

Many believe that children today are luckier because they have many beautiful toys and expensive mooncakes. From classrooms and schools to neighborhood organizations, grand celebrations are organized for the children. This is an opportunity for agencies and organizations to reward students for their good academic achievements. However, behind the hustle and bustle are still children who are diligently attending extra classes after their regular school day!

Educating children about life and culture through festivals is extremely practical. The Mid-Autumn Festival is also an occasion for everyone to learn to slow down. Children are the most important group to care for. They don't need to eat delicious food or receive expensive gifts. They not only need to study in modern schools but also need moments of caring for each other and understanding more about the meaning of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Children also need to be taught the lesson of giving and receiving, to be close to their parents, and to connect with the outside world more than just sitting at their desks. Perhaps parents should also reduce the time they spend on work and the daily struggles of life to be with their children and enjoy the love together during the Mid-Autumn Festival!

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