Lincoln College - Full moon rises on delightful Chinese Autumnal celebration

 

[September 17, 2019] 

Lincoln College professor Jonathan Pierce travelled to China’s Shenyang Jianzhu University to see if he could recruit some exchange students to travel to Lincoln for a semester or two. The result of his travels is a group of students from Shenyang studying at Lincoln College this semester. They are taking business classes and theatre arts and polishing up their English skills.

So, Lincoln College is giving these travelers from the East an education, perhaps a bit different from the one they receive in China. But then, something surprising happened.

The Chinese students brought their own vibe to the Lincoln College campus, giving their new friends insights into Chinese culture an American might never get.

On the stage of the Johnston Center on the LC campus the Chinese students hosted a Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration on Friday evening.

The traditional Chinese holiday is held each year during a very specific full moon. The holiday stresses family togetherness under the full moon during the eighth lunar month.

The audience was treated to all of the trappings of the festival. What a terrific presentation. There was singing, dancing, singing while dancing, and traditional Chinese music, costumes, games that brought members of the audience onstage multiple times for an exciting experience and there were giveaways to audience members. Audience members really enjoyed watching and participating in the performance which evoked smiles and laughs galore. The Chinese students were laughing as much as their guests.

The power point presentation of paintings from China that accompanied the show was beautiful. It was a wonderful melding of east and west.

How best to describe the evening and the program. Well, the word charming comes to mind! The Chinese students are far from home during this special time of the year back home where they would be spending time with their families and friends. Well, they celebrated this year with their new friends at Lincoln College and in Lincoln. And their enthusiastic guests at the Johnston Center were able to celebrate with them, to immerse themselves in a traditional Chinese festival with their gracious hosts, and make them feel welcome in America.

How best to describe the evening? It was fun!

[Curtis Fox]