In the picturesque city of Debrecen, Hungary, the Kölcsey Center came alive with the colors, flavors, and sounds of the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. This grand event was meticulously designed not just as a celebration of one of China’s most treasured festivals but also as an emblematic bridge to fortify Chinese-Hungarian cultural bonds.
With a central theme revolving around the core values of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the festivity provided Debrecen’s locals with a chance to immerse themselves in the history, culture, and traditions of the Chinese celebration. Moreover, it reflected China’s ethos of openness, inclusiveness, and the philosophy of harmonious coexistence. In essence, the event was a poignant reminder of the beauty of cultural diversity and the shared human experiences that transcend borders.
The occasion saw a convergence of esteemed entities like the Chinese Embassy in Hungary, the Budapest Chinese Cultural Center, the Hungarian Tourism Office in Budapest, the Confucius Institute at the University of Debrecen, and a local public welfare firm. Their collective efforts bore fruit as over 500 eager Debrecen inhabitants thronged to the venue.
The event’s diverse itinerary ensured that attendees could engage in a myriad of activities. Among the major attractions was the fourth edition of the Hungarian Mooncake Workshop, where participants delved into the art of crafting the traditional delicacies associated with the festival. An exhibition providing insights into the city of Suzhou, a hanfu fashion parade, folklore musical performances, interactive rabbit lantern-making sessions, and a sensory journey through Chinese tea tasting were the other highlights.
During the inauguration, Debrecen’s Deputy Mayor, István Puskás, emphasized the event’s importance in deepening Debrecen’s appreciation of the multifaceted Chinese culture. Echoing this sentiment, Sun Jie, the cultural affairs counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Hungary, accentuated the event’s growing significance as an annual cultural cornerstone, drawing both Chinese and Hungarian enthusiasts alike.
Yet, it was the Hungarian Mooncake Workshop that emerged as the crowd favorite. Hungarians were introduced to the intricate nuances of mooncake making, with its plethora of fillings and designs. A standout moment was when local pastry maestro, Kökény Ágnes, unveiled a colossal Hungarian mooncake, a perfect blend of Hungarian and Chinese baking traditions, symbolizing the confluence of the two cultures.
While attendees reveled in the traditional music and tried their hand at various crafts, some heartwarming stories stood out. A young Hungarian girl’s fascination with Asian culture saw her crafting rabbit lanterns and donning Hanfu outfits. Another touching moment was when a local mother, having learned of the event on social media, arrived with her children. Although they missed the mooncake workshop, the family was deeply moved by the hanfu displays, tea sessions, and music, voicing their enthusiasm for future Chinese cultural events.
Marked on the 15th day of the eighth month as per the Chinese lunar calendar, this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival will be celebrated on September 29. It’s a time where families in China gather, relishing mooncakes, appreciating the moon’s beauty, and celebrating bounteous harvests. The Kölcsey Center’s event, in many ways, replicated this spirit of community and celebration, thousands of miles away from China, in the heart of Hungary.
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