Memories of Mid-Autumn Festival, then and now.

From moonlit nights in the countryside to streets illuminated by dazzling lanterns, the Mid-Autumn Festival has changed over time. But whether in the past or present, it remains a season of family reunion and children's joy.

Nowadays, children receive a lot of attention from schools and organizations during the Mid-Autumn Festival. In the photo: The Le Dai Hanh Ward Youth Union presents Mid-Autumn Festival gifts to students of An Lac Primary School.

Joy under the village moonlight

Traditionally, the Mid-Autumn Festival was associated with the sound of village drums, paper star lanterns, and simple feasts under the full moon. Today's Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated in vibrant schoolyards, streets illuminated by lanterns, and dazzling social media check-in photos. Despite these changes, through countless moon cycles, the Mid-Autumn Festival remains a time for people to revisit memories and share the joy of family reunion.

At An Lac Primary School (Le Dai Hanh Ward, Hai Phong ), in the days leading up to the Mid-Autumn Festival, the atmosphere in the classrooms is very lively with preparations for the festival. The students work together to cut and paste star-shaped lanterns and color paper masks.

Teacher Nguyen Thi May (56 years old), while guiding students in pasting paper decorations, recounted: “In the old days, there weren't any activities like there are now. We just looked forward to the full moon of the eighth lunar month so we could carry lanterns around the village. The feast wasn't much, just a few bananas, grapefruit segments, and some rice crackers. But it was fun, because the children got to enjoy the feast together and admire the moon.”

At nearly 60 years old, Ms. May still remembers and recounts her memories of Mid-Autumn Festivals from the past to her students.

The simple yet heartwarming feasts of yesteryear are unforgettable memories for generations. In the bright moonlight, children eagerly awaited the feast, adults chatted, and the star-shaped paper lanterns, or lanterns made from tin cans, pomelos, and bamboo slats, continued to shimmer in the night.

Mr. Tran Quang Dinh, 45 years old, from Lac Phuong commune, recalls his childhood in the cooperative's warehouse yard: "There were no loudspeakers, but every Mid-Autumn Festival night in my village was so much fun. The children would gather to wait for the feast; just a few pieces of cake and a pomelo were enough to make us happy. After playing with the star-shaped lanterns, we would hang them on the wall and take them down to play with again the following year."

Back then, the Mid-Autumn Festival wasn't extravagant; a bright moon and the lively sound of drums were enough to bring complete joy to children.

A cafe displays a feast featuring typical autumn treats.

Preserving traditional beauty

Over time, the Mid-Autumn Festival has also changed. Today, it is not just a children's festival; it is also a season of community joy, of spectacular lion dances, and streets filled with lights and music .

A member of the early 90s generation, Ms. Nguyen Thu Trang from Hai Duong ward recounted: “When I was little, every Mid-Autumn Festival, my mother would take me to buy battery-operated lanterns that played music. Those were the trendy items back then; whoever had one would show it off to everyone in the neighborhood. Now, when I take my children to the city, I see lanterns in all shapes and colors, from cartoon characters to superheroes and princesses.”

Many young people also find their own joy in the Mid-Autumn Festival. On social media, young people excitedly show off their Mid-Autumn Festival photos taken at cafes, neighborhoods, or classic-decorated spaces.

Nguyen Ngoc Mai, a student from Phuc Thanh High School, visited a cafe in Thanh Dong ward to take photos for the Mid-Autumn Festival about two weeks before the festival. Mai shared: "I really love the Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere, especially taking pictures in a space filled with lanterns and colorful masks. Although modern, it still has a very nostalgic feel to it."

Ngoc Mai enjoyed checking in with the creative Mid-Autumn Festival-themed space at the cafe.

Along with changing lifestyles, mooncakes have also taken on a new look. While in the past, baked or soft mooncakes with mixed fillings were considered precious gifts, the market now offers a wide variety of creative options such as lotus seed, green tea, and red bean fillings. The boxes are exquisitely designed, making them a luxurious gift rather than just a children's treat.

Although the Mid-Autumn Festival today is more vibrant and modern, many people still seek out traditional values. Traditional folk toys such as star-shaped lanterns, papier-mâché masks, and clay figurines are still popular choices for parents buying for their children. This is not only because of their unique handcrafted nature, but also because they hold cherished childhood memories for the parents themselves.

Teacher Nguyen Thi May said that what makes her happiest is seeing today's children know how to make, play, and understand the Mid-Autumn Festival of the past. "When I tell them about the five-pointed star lanterns, or how to cut paper to make masks, the children love it; everyone is attentive. I think that's the best way to preserve tradition by letting the children do it and experience it."

In fact, the Mid-Autumn Festival is no longer just about a night of feasting. Many localities in Hai Phong also organize lantern parades, decorate streets with lanterns, or hold folk cultural programs to foster a sense of community. Each activity is a way to preserve the beauty of the Mid-Autumn Festival in modern life.

Many families still seek out traditional Mid-Autumn Festival toys.

Each generation has different memories of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Some remember the tranquil moonlit nights in their villages, while others are captivated by the dazzling lights of the city streets. But ultimately, it's all about the joy of reunion, a moment when the whole family gathers together and shares their feelings.

LINH LINH

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/ky-uc-trung-thu-xua-va-nay-522746.html