但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。
Dàn yuàn rén cháng jiǔ, qiān lǐ gòng chán juān.
We wish each other a long life so as to share the beauty of this graceful moonlight, even though miles apart.
This poetic line, written by Su Shi during the Song Dynasty, captures the essence of the Mid-Autumn Festival: reunion and blessing.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. On this day, the moon in the sky is at its roundest and brightest. Both the full moon and the mooncakes symbolize completeness and harmony, embodying people's cherished wishes for family happiness and a fulfilling life.
It is this spirit of connection that XMandarin sought to share. As the Festival drew near, an air of warmth and anticipation set the tone for a mooncake-making workshop hosted for international students. For many, it was their first hands-on experience with a tradition as rich in meaning as it is in flavor.
Our instructor carefully demonstrated each step—kneading the soft dough, preparing sweet fillings like red bean and lotus seed paste, and skillfully wrapping the filling without tearing the dough. The final touch came from pressing each piece into ornate molds to imprint the classic mooncake patterns.
Guided by her lead, the students eagerly joined in. They measured ingredients, wrapped fillings, and shared laughs while shaping their mooncakes. The highlight was gently tapping the molds to reveal their own creations.
Once the mooncakes were packed into elegant boxes to share with friends, the workshop felt complete.
More than just a baking season, it was a meaningul cultural exchange. By making and sharing mooncakes, the students gained more than a recipe, they touched a living piece of Chinese heritage, making this Mid-Autumn Festival truly memorable.
