Happy Mooncake Festival - Mid-Autumn Festival

By Yeam Pik Wah, Marketing Executive, President College

The Mooncake Festival (also called the Mid-Autumn festival) falls on September 12th in the year 2011. What is the Mooncake festival? Every year on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, when the moon is at its maximum brightness for the entire year, the Chinese celebrate "中秋节zhong qiu jie."

Children are told the story of the moon fairy living in a crystal palace, who comes out to dance on the moon's shadowed surface. The legend surrounding the "lady living in the moon" dates back to ancient times, to a day when ten suns appeared at once in the sky. The Emperor ordered a famous archer to shoot down the nine extra suns. Once the task was accomplished, Goddess of Western Heaven rewarded the archer with a pill that would make him immortal. However, his wife found the pill, took it, and was banished to the moon as a result. Legend says that her beauty is greatest on the day of the Moon festival.

How to Celebrate the Mooncake Festival

Chinese moon cake festival is a popular and traditional East Asian holiday. It is a 3000 year tradition and many people in Asia today still celebrate it like their ancestors did. It is one of the best holidays because traditionally you will get to eat the very delicious moon cake that comes in many different varieties.

During the festival, people would eat moon cakes and drink tea while looking at the moon. Moon cakes has many flavors and one of the most popular version is the lotus seed paste with egg yoke, and it symbolize togetherness in a family and not to mention it is very delicious.

Accompanying the celebration, Chinese will hanging lanterns on the bamboo pole and putting them on a high point, such as roofs, trees, terraces, etc. It is a custom in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, etc.

Traditionally, this holiday signifies togetherness for a family. For those that cannot be with family members because of work or other reasons, they look at the moon and think about their loved ones :)

Selamat Hari Raya

By Farah Amin Siru, Marketing Executive, President College

Muslims all over the world celebrate Hari Raya Aidil Fitri after 30 days of fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan. Hari Raya to me is a very special time filled with good food, good times and loved ones. On the first day of Syawal, relatives gather at my grandparent's house; where the agenda is to feast on the scrumptious spectacle laid out waiting for us and to enjoy each other's company while doing so. Raya favorites such as rendang (chicken and beef both!), the customary sticky lemang, ravishing mutton dalcha and a colourful selection of cookies and sweets are ever-present and consumed amongst smiling faces all around. 

Travelling and visiting are also a big part  of the Raya celebrations. Many excitedly await the day that they may “balik kampung” for the holidays; getting back to their respective hometowns away from the hustling bustling city to enjoy some quiet time with Mama and Papa at home. The festivities are not exclusive only to Muslims. Friends and acquaintances hailing from different backgrounds and creeds all come together to partake in the joyous occasion, kindly sharing food, laughter and warm wishes. It is a time for happiness and to remind ourselves to love and respect our fellow man no matter what. This year's Hari Raya celebrations was extra special because it came coupled with Malaysia's Merdeka Day. This further fostered the close relations that bind us together as Malaysians.

Although the public holidays are done, the glorification of Syawal carries on for a month so there is still ample time to meet up with family and friends, to beg forgiveness for any wrong doings and to strengthen bonds of love and comradeship. The feasting doesn't have to end either... =p But remember don't overdo it or you'll make yourself sick!                                  

Selamat Hari Raya. Maaf Zahir & Batin. Peace & Love.