Miami, August 29, 2013 – The prestigious Confucius Institute (CI) at Miami Dade College (MDC) will hold its 4th Annual Harvest Moon Festival alongside a public ceremony honoring Confucius on Saturday, Sept. 14., from 1:30 – 8 p.m. at the College’s North Campus. Festivities will take place in the Lehman Theatre and include a discussion forum, an award ceremony, Chinese refreshments and performances featuring traditional Chinese music, folk singing, dancing, a fashion show and other activities. The event is free and open to the public.
The Harvest Moon Festival at MDC attracts hundreds of people and is recognized, alongside the Chinese New Year, as one of the two most important Chinese holidays. It is the annual “family reunion day” in which Chinese families and friends gather to spend time together, admire the bright, full harvest moon and share traditional meals, which include moon cakes. The CI’s celebration of Confucius is a highly lauded ceremony where members of the community will pay their respects to the world-famous philosopher and educator. In keeping with the CI’s mission, the colorful celebration will offer everyone in Greater Miami, a free opportunity to experience authentic Chinese culture, traditions and arts.
Following is the schedule and description of events:
Guest Lecture on Confucius and his Legacy: 1:30–3 p.m.
Lecture by Prof. Xianglin Kong, Secretary-General of World Confucius Conference in Beijing, former vice president of the Confucius Research Institute in China, and a 75th-generation descendant of Confucius. His presentation will focus on Confucius’s lifetime achievements and worldwide influence.
Commemoration of Confucius and Cultural Celebration: 4– 7 p.m.
Activities include a commemoration ceremony of Confucius’ birthday, Shandong Fellowship Association award presentation to outstanding Chinese language teachers and CI students, and Chinese cultural performances: singing, dancing, musical performances and fashion show
Chinese Calligraphy, “Talking Poster” Demonstration & Chinese Refreshments, including Mooncakes: 7–8 p.m.
The Harvest Moon celebration is co-organized and sponsored by the Florida Shandong Fellowship Association, in collaboration with theStudent Life Department at MDC’s North Campus, the Florida Guangdong Fellowship Association, and US Shandong Fellowship Association Education Fund, Inc.
Confucius Institute’s 4th Annual Harvest Moon and Commemoration of Confucius
- WHEN: Saturday, Sep. 14, 1:30 PM – Wednesday, Aug. 14, 8:00 PM
- WHERE: MDC North Campus, Lehman Theatre (Building 5) 11380 NW 27Ave.
For more information, contact Dr. Xuejun (Jim) Yu at 305- 237-7581 or xyu@mdc.edu.