Lexington, KY - Changzheng Wang has been the president of the Kentucky Chinese American Association, a group established to promote Chinese heritage and cross-cultural understanding in Kentucky, for the past two years.
This month the organization, along with the UK Confucious Institute, is hosting the Moon Festival at the new MoonDance at Midnight Pass amphitheatre in the Beaumont Centre Circle, near Wang's neighborhood. In Chinese culture, the holiday is second only to the New Year celebration, and locally the festival will include entertainment provided by Chinese American dancers, singers and musicians, a parade, folk dance demonstrations, kids activities, Chinese food, and, of course, a wide selection of moon cakes.
The Moon Festival is from 4 - 8 p.m. Sept. 18. For more information, visit www.kycaa.org.
What's the significance of the Moon Festival?
The Moon Festival, also known as the mid-autumn festival, is one of the most important holidays celebrated by Chinese and other Asian people around the world. It is a legal holiday in several countries. The Moon Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, which is usually around late September or early October in the Gregorian calendar. It is a date that parallels the autumn equinox of the solar calendar, when the moon is supposedly at its fullest and roundest.
The holiday probably originated from the harvest celebration farmers had at the end of the summer. Traditionally on this day, Chinese family members and friends will gather to admire the bright mid-autumn moon, and eat moon cakes together.
The Moon Festival is a Chinese tradition. What will somebody who is not very familiar with this culture learn from coming to the festival?
This is one of the two traditional holidays Chinese American families celebrate in Kentucky. It is a chance for people from other cultures to learn many of the legends associated with the holiday. They can also enjoy the many varieties of the legendary moon cakes, which is a food item specifically associated with the holiday. There will also be beautiful Chinese dances and other live entertainment. Kids will enjoy lantern makings and other fun activities at the event as well.
How did the moon cake become the traditional food for the Moon Festival?
According to a widespread folktale (not necessarily supported by historical records), the Moon Festival commemorates an uprising in China against the Mongol rulers of the Yuan Dynasty in the 14th century. As group gatherings were banned, it was impossible to make plans for a rebellion. Noting that the Mongols did not eat moon cakes, Liu Bowen of Zhejiang Province, the advisor to the Chinese rebel leader Zhu Yuanzhang, came up with the idea of timing the rebellion to coincide with the Moon Festival. He sought permission to distribute thousands of moon cakes to the Chinese residents in the city to bless the longevity of the Mongol emperor. Inside each cake, however, was inserted a piece of paper with the message, 'Kill the Mongols on the 15th day of the 8th month.' On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the government. What followed was the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, under Zhu. Henceforth, the Moon Festival was celebrated with moon cakes on a national level.
In your opinion, who makes the best moon cake?
Several families continue the practice. Freshly made moon cakes taste better than ones you buy from the bakeries because they may have to be shipped from far-away places. Only a few people know how to make the moon cakes. Our association had the first contest for 'The Best Fresh Moon Cakes' last year with six participants. Hong Lin, who works at UK, took home the big trophy. We will have a contest again this year. There is still some time for anyone who wants to earn the bragging right and take home the trophy plus a cash prize of $100. They can call me at (859) 224-8072 to enter.
What do you like most about working with the Kentucky Chinese American Association?
I am so glad that our organization has been able to help meet the need for Chinese cultural programs in this region. Many people from other cultural backgrounds enjoy our programs. It is also great that the Chinese American families can continue great cultural traditions such as the Moon Festival and our children will have the chance to learn and carry on such traditions in the future.
What do you think is the largest misconception about Chinese culture and tradition?
Most people think the Chinese American community is small in the area. However, the Chinese American community is growing. Many work in the University of Kentucky, and corporations, where they contribute not only to the cultural diversity but also to scientific research, education and business development in Kentucky.
In your experiences, are the people of Lexington open to learning about new cultures?
I have been in Lexington for nearly 20 years and I have come across people from very diverse backgrounds. I found people here in general are very open to people from other cultural backgrounds, and receptive to cultural programs. I have met many families with children from China who work very hard to keep their children familiar with their birth culture. Many families are interested in having their children learn Chinese. There is even a group of parents interested in having a Chinese immersion school in the area.
As a Beaumont neighbor, what do you enjoy about living in the area?
Beaumont Centre is a wonderful neighborhood to live in. I am very happy with the schools -
Dunbar High School, Beaumont Middle School and the elementary school. The Beaumont Centre Family YMCA is wonderful in providing not only facilities for exercises but also other recreational and cultural programs. The walking trails are great. I enjoy an evening walk with my children and chat with neighbors and friends along the way.