Latest news with #Mid-AutumnFestival
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Cultural exchange between South Africa and China: A focus on growth and opportunity
Unlocking the potential of South Africa-China relations through cultural exchange Explore the rich landscape of South Africa-China relations as the Chinese Consulate in Durban reveals plans for deeper cultural exchanges and educational opportunities for local students. The Chinese Consulate in Durban, South Africa has revealed plans for deeper cultural exchanges and educational opportunities for local students. In an exclusive, yet candid interview with the Daily News this week, Li Zhigong, the Chinese Consul in Durban said these initiatives are set to foster understanding and collaboration between the two countries. As both nation continued to seek to strengthen their ties, cultural exchange emerged in the conversation as a pivotal tool for fostering understanding and collaboration. Li elaborated on how the Chinese Consulate in Durban promotes cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two nations. He explained that the consulate actively collaborates with local institutions and the Confucius Institute at Durban University of Technology in the region to bring Chinese culture to South Africa while also celebrating South African traditions. "This dual approach enhances respect and comprehension between the two countries," he said. The Consulate has organised a variety of events aimed at bridging cultural divides. Festivals, exhibitions, and film screenings are among the many initiatives that have enriched Durban's cultural landscape. According to Li, Notable events include the vibrant celebrations of Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the National Day Reception. "These gatherings serve not only to celebrate Chinese heritage but also to foster dialogue and interaction with local communities," he explained. Furthermore, the consulate has supported various groups from China to present Chinese Pictures and Films Shows, calligraphy workshops, and traditional dance performances. One particularly exciting initiative on the horizon is the "China Cultural Camp" hosted by the Shude Chinese School in Durban. Set to take place in the latter half of this year, this camp will welcome dozens of teachers from China, offering local children and anyone interested in Chinese culture a unique opportunity to engage and partake in an enriching cultural experience. Education remains another cornerstone of the cultural exchange between South Africa and China. Li detailed how South African students and scholars can access scholarships or exchange programmes in China. "Applications can be made through the Chinese Embassy's scholarship platform or via the Confucius Institute for both language and degree scholarships. These comprehensive programs cover tuition, accommodation, and living stipends. The Consulate consistently works to ensure that the application process is transparent and fair, providing guidance and liaising with educational institutions to facilitate student access," he said. As both countries continue to navigate their relationship, cultural exchanges play a vital role in promoting cooperation, understanding, and a shared vision for the future. "Investment in cultural exchanges is an investment in our future partnerships,' concluded Li.
Korea Herald
23-05-2025
- Korea Herald
Agoda Spotlights Lantern Festivals Across Asia to Brighten the Year
SINGAPORE, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda is shining a light on some of Asia's most enchanting lantern festivals coming up in the remainder of the year. These lantern festivals are unmissable for travelers eager to immerse themselves in culture and dazzling light-filled celebrations. Lantern festivals have long been a favorite for travelers, offering a unique blend of tradition, artistry, and community spirit. For those who marveled at earlier festivals this year, like China's Spring Lantern Festival or Taiwan's PingXi Lantern Festival, there's good news—there are still plenty of opportunities to catch more lantern-lit magic in the months ahead. Monthly: Hoi An Lantern Festival, Vietnam Hoi An's Lantern Festival transforms this charming riverside town into a glowing wonderland every full moon. Visitors can expect the streets to be bathed in the warm glow of colorful lanterns, while the Thu Bon River sparkles with floating lights. This monthly celebration is a tribute to Vietnam's rich heritage, offering travelers a chance to release their own lanterns and make a wish. The festival's intimate atmosphere and timeless beauty make it a must-see for those seeking a serene yet magical experience. August 2025: Nara Tokae Lantern Festival and Obon Festival, Japan August in Japan is a double delight for lantern lovers. The Nara Tokae Lantern Festival lights up the historic city of Nara with thousands of candle-lit paper lanterns, creating a captivating illumination amidst ancient temples and deer-filled parks. Meanwhile, the Obon Festival, celebrated nationwide, honors ancestors with floating lanterns and traditional dances. Together, these festivals offer a harmonious blend of reflection, celebration, and cultural immersion. October 2025: Mid-Autumn Festival, China China's Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, is a time for family reunions and moonlit festivities. Lantern displays take center stage, with intricate designs ranging from mythical creatures to modern art. Cities like Beijing and Shanghai host grand celebrations, but smaller towns also offer a more intimate charm. Mooncakes, storytelling, and lantern parades make this festival a feast for the senses and the soul. November 2025: Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand Chiang Mai's Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Festival is a breathtaking spectacle of light and water. Thousands of lanterns are released into the sky, while floating krathongs (decorative baskets) are set adrift on rivers. This dual celebration symbolizes letting go of misfortunes and welcoming good luck. The sight of illuminated lanterns ascending into the night sky is a memory that will linger long after the festival ends. December 2025: Giant Lantern Festival, Philippines The Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Philippines, is a dazzling display of craftsmanship and community spirit. Known as the "Christmas Capital of the Philippines," San Fernando showcases massive, intricately designed lanterns that light up the night in a kaleidoscope of colors. This festival is a testament to Filipino creativity and a joyful way to usher in the holiday season. Krishna Rathi, Senior Country Director at Agoda, said, "Lantern festivals are more than just a visual treat; they're a window into the heart of a culture. Agoda is here to help travelers experience the magic firsthand and make their journeys as seamless as possible. Whether you're floating a lantern in Hoi An or Chiang Mai, Agoda's got your travel plans covered." With over 5 million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities to choose from, Agoda makes it easy to plan a lantern-lit adventure. Visit and find the best deals on the Agoda mobile app.
Malaysian Reserve
19-05-2025
- Malaysian Reserve
Agoda Spotlights Lantern Festivals Across Asia to Brighten the Year
SINGAPORE, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda is shining a light on some of Asia's most enchanting lantern festivals coming up in the remainder of the year. These lantern festivals are unmissable for travelers eager to immerse themselves in culture and dazzling light-filled celebrations. Lantern festivals have long been a favorite for travelers, offering a unique blend of tradition, artistry, and community spirit. For those who marveled at earlier festivals this year, like China's Spring Lantern Festival or Taiwan's PingXi Lantern Festival, there's good news—there are still plenty of opportunities to catch more lantern-lit magic in the months ahead. Monthly: Hoi An Lantern Festival, Vietnam Hoi An's Lantern Festival transforms this charming riverside town into a glowing wonderland every full moon. Visitors can expect the streets to be bathed in the warm glow of colorful lanterns, while the Thu Bon River sparkles with floating lights. This monthly celebration is a tribute to Vietnam's rich heritage, offering travelers a chance to release their own lanterns and make a wish. The festival's intimate atmosphere and timeless beauty make it a must-see for those seeking a serene yet magical experience. August 2025: Nara Tokae Lantern Festival and Obon Festival, Japan August in Japan is a double delight for lantern lovers. The Nara Tokae Lantern Festival lights up the historic city of Nara with thousands of candle-lit paper lanterns, creating a captivating illumination amidst ancient temples and deer-filled parks. Meanwhile, the Obon Festival, celebrated nationwide, honors ancestors with floating lanterns and traditional dances. Together, these festivals offer a harmonious blend of reflection, celebration, and cultural immersion. October 2025: Mid-Autumn Festival, China China's Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, is a time for family reunions and moonlit festivities. Lantern displays take center stage, with intricate designs ranging from mythical creatures to modern art. Cities like Beijing and Shanghai host grand celebrations, but smaller towns also offer a more intimate charm. Mooncakes, storytelling, and lantern parades make this festival a feast for the senses and the soul. November 2025: Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand Chiang Mai's Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Festival is a breathtaking spectacle of light and water. Thousands of lanterns are released into the sky, while floating krathongs (decorative baskets) are set adrift on rivers. This dual celebration symbolizes letting go of misfortunes and welcoming good luck. The sight of illuminated lanterns ascending into the night sky is a memory that will linger long after the festival ends. December 2025: Giant Lantern Festival, Philippines The Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Philippines, is a dazzling display of craftsmanship and community spirit. Known as the 'Christmas Capital of the Philippines,' San Fernando showcases massive, intricately designed lanterns that light up the night in a kaleidoscope of colors. This festival is a testament to Filipino creativity and a joyful way to usher in the holiday season. Krishna Rathi, Senior Country Director at Agoda, said, 'Lantern festivals are more than just a visual treat; they're a window into the heart of a culture. Agoda is here to help travelers experience the magic firsthand and make their journeys as seamless as possible. Whether you're floating a lantern in Hoi An or Chiang Mai, Agoda's got your travel plans covered.' With over 5 million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities to choose from, Agoda makes it easy to plan a lantern-lit adventure. Visit and find the best deals on the Agoda mobile app.
South China Morning Post
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Kwok's Girls are redefining lion dance in Hong Kong with all-women troupe
On a weekday night, beneath the gritty underbelly of a bypass in the Tai Kok Tsui area of Kowloon, Hong Kong, two lions – one dressed in green and the other in purple – hop up and down on a metal platform, their bright manes swaying with each movement. Inside these vibrant costumes are four young women, a rarity in the city's lion dance scene, who have dedicated more than half their lives to mastering this traditional art form. They are the Kwok's Girls, female members of the Kwok's Kung Fu and Dragon Lion Dance Team, which was founded in 1969. Between the working hours of their day jobs, they practise at least once a week. They have gained a notable online presence in recent years. One of their videos gained 2 million views on their Instagram page, which has more than 30,000 followers. Their videos have shone a spotlight on the blood, sweat and tears that go into the practice of this distinctive and difficult art form. In one clip, one of the girls lifts another above her head and does three spins, while another shows two coordinated performers leaping from one tall pole to another. 'When I successfully challenge myself with movements we weren't able to do before, there is a great sense of accomplishment,' Lam Hoi-hei, 25, said. 'What I love most is competing together, from when we were small to now. We have been doing this for over 10 years, and I hope it will continue until we are old.' Hong Kong university uses virtual reality and AI to preserve traditions Lion dance performances have been an indispensable feature of traditional celebrations in Hong Kong such as the Mid-Autumn Festival and during the Lunar New Year holiday, as well as celebratory occasions such as opening ceremonies and weddings. It is a custom going back more than 1,000 years, traditionally performed to bring good luck for the coming lunar year and to scare away evil spirits. In the past, women were not allowed to become lion dancers. The lion and dragon costumes were consecrated, and females were seen as 'unclean' in certain Chinese religions and forbidden to touch holy items. Things have since changed, with such outdated beliefs no longer applying to most modern ceremonies. More lion dance troupes are accepting female students. But women in lion dance still have to overcome certain gender differences and are often pitted against physically more powerful male dancers in competitions. 'The differences between us and male dancers are physical strength, as this sport is quite demanding, requiring courage and height,' Lai Yun-ting, 28, said. She said the advantages of female performers over male ones were that they were lighter and nimbler, and often paid more attention to detail. Li Tsz-yan, 25, said that rather than focusing on victory in any one competition as a goal, they aimed to qualify for various competitions, including those overseas, such as the one held in the Genting Highlands in Malaysia. 'We will probably lose to male dancers, but we look so cool, and often receive more applause than them,' she said. 'The moment we show up on stage, it feels like we've already won.' Having such confidence was what pushed the girls to persevere despite challenging routines and frequent injuries. 'I never think I'm not capable of doing certain moves, I simply have not learned them. And I will simply keep practising,' Li said. 'Our coach often instils in us the belief that we're able to do it,' Lai chimed in. 'It's just a matter of time, and whether you work hard or not. We keep this faith in our minds.' These inspiring female lion dancers are revitalising the traditional art, racking up millions of views and defying gender norms. Photo: Edmond So Yeung Nga-man, 23, said lion dance had honed their willpower, enabling them to cope better with adversities in life. 'What I am doing in lion dance is already so difficult and I've managed to persist for so long. It makes other problems seem so trivial,' she said. 'The confidence comes from here, especially when people tell me it's impressive that I'm the one controlling the lion's head.' Andy Kwok Man-lung, the head coach and team leader of Kwok's Kung Fu and Dragon Lion Dance Team, said he treated all his students equally, regardless of their sex. 'For example, it is quite dangerous to perform on poles, which requires skill and psychological strength. You have to reach a certain level before you can learn it,' he said. 'If you reach that level, I will not stop you [from progressing] because you are a girl.' He said having more women join the lion dance scene could further promote and elevate the standards of the art form. 'I hope that they will be able to achieve what male dancers have achieved. If a girl is able to complete a certain move … not only will other girls be encouraged to improve themselves, but it can also motivate other boys to do the same.' The Kwok's Girls said they hoped their dedication would not only keep the art form alive, but also serve as an inspiration for other young women. 'It shows that women can also do this. Before getting to know my fellow members, I didn't think I was capable enough. But seeing what they can do made me realise that I can do the same,' Lai said. 'I hope that when we have children, we can also introduce them to lion dance.'
South China Morning Post
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
4 China fun, dangerous festivals celebrate culture – climbing knife ladder, frog dancing
Aside from the better-known festivals celebrated universally by 1.4 billion people, such as the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, China is home to some unique and bizarre annual events that reflect the country's diversity of culture. Advertisement The Post takes a look at four of the most unusual festivals. Melon-stealing In some rural areas of southwestern China's Guizhou province and central China's Hunan province, there is one day of the year during which theft is completely legal. Across China, that day is the Mid-Autumn Festival. A boy, quite legally, steals a melon from a field as part of a yearly fertility ritual. Photo: Sohu But villagers in the above places believe that stealing melons from other people's farmland and gifting them to couples will bring them the child they desire.
