Celestial celebration

In China when the crops have been gathered and heavy work in the fields is over, family members and friends get together to give thanks for the prosperous year. \nThe Asian Culture Center hosted the Moon Festival at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Kirkwood Observatory. The event celebrates the Chinese tradition of the \nharvest moon. \n“Moon festival is like another version of Thanksgiving,” said senior Kenny Tang. It’s time for families to spend time together and celebrate\nHundreds of students and community residents showed up for the crafts, history and other activities. The actual festival falls on Sept. 15 of the Chinese calendar, which is around Sept. 25 in the Western calendar, when the moon is full. While it was not a full moon Wednesday night, event organizers said the festival was held early to accommodate the most people. \nStudents and employees of the Asian Culture Center taught attendees how to make Chinese lanterns, and a calligraphy artist wrote in Chinese symbols. Also traditional Chinese moon cakes and hot tea were served.\n“In Chinese history, the form of government is dictator,” said sophomore Alvin Arief. “The government was afraid that the people would all form to go against it, so the government forbade neighbors to communicate. The Chinese people then made moon cakes with messages inside to give to each other.” \nThis event was one that attracted not only IU students, but many people from the community as well. Visiting scholar Yonghong Yuan said she attended to see how the U.S. celebrates the \nMoon Festival.\n“In China it is called the Mid-Autumn Festival,” she said. \n7-year-old Shay Upadhyay said her favorite part of the Moon Festival was the arts and crafts, specifically making paper lanterns. \nThe Kirkwood Observatory houses a 12-inch refracting telescope that allowed visitors to get a rare view of the moon. \nBabita Upadhyay, program and administrative assistant of the Asian Culture Center, said the event traditionally attracts people from all over the community and the University. \n “Through these performances, celebrations and demonstrations, Asian Culture Center endeavors to bring the Asian cultures closer to the University and Bloomington communities,” she said.