The Mid-Autumn Festival commenced at 7 p.m. at the Shack, where students learned about the legend of Chang’e
On Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, the MU Vietnamese Student Association celebrated the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival at the Shack in the MU Student Center. After checking in at the entrance of the Shack, students were provided bánh mì, egg tarts and tea. The executive board also prepared many activities, prizes and a traditional lantern walk for the students to hang their lanterns onto the trees at Kuhlman Court.
A red decoration hangs in the window of the Shack for the Mid-Autumn Festival on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in the MU Student Center in Columbia, Mo. The VSA executive board spent about three to four weeks planning the event, working with local caterers in town and making tea.
Students gather together and socialize with one another before the festivities begin. “Honestly, I was looking for more Asian-oriented clubs,” First-year student Ashley McGarrah said. “I’m only half-Asian, but [in] my school, I was the only Asian kid there, so I wanted to find more things that I could involve myself with my culture.”
VSA Cultural Chair Thao Nguyen and Treasurer Hector Le, both MU sophomores, present a slideshow with the story of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Nguyen and Le also prepared a song-guessing game and a bingo that corresponded with the legend and awarded prizes to the winners.
Students gather around a table in the center of the Shack where materials, including red and gold paper streamers and lanterns in various sizes, were provided for a lantern-making activity. Participants partnered up by their majors to encourage them to engage with others in VSA.
Two students hold their decorated lantern as they participate in the activity together. “Every year, we do this event, but it wasn’t until last year where we started implementing more traditional events like lantern walk and the lantern decorating activities,” VSA President Vy Vu said. “The first year, my freshman year, we did it, … it just didn’t feel right or lively. So last year I wanted to implement more fun activities, so I’m glad that we can do this.”
Lanterns made by students hang on the trees in Kuhlman Court. The story of the festival dates back to Ancient China, where Chang’e flew to the moon after drinking an elixir that granted immortality. Her husband Hou Yi, saddened by her departure, displayed foods that she enjoyed during the full moon. This custom became popular and has shaped into the Mid-Autumn Festival known today.
Students gather for a group photo at Kuhlman Court after doing a traditional lantern parade, Rước Đèn, starting from the MU Student Center. During that same night, a partial lunar eclipse occurred, reaching its peak around 10:44 p.m. with about 8% of the moon in full shadow.
Edited by Hannah Henderson | hhenderson@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.com
Edited by Emilia Hansen | ehansen@themaneater.com
Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com