Mid-Autumn Festival does not need high tables and full dishes

(Baonghean) - Nghe An Newspaper reporter had a conversation with Researcher Le Tai Hoe - Member of Vietnam Folk Arts Association.

- Sir, as someone who has done a lot of research on customs and practices, what do you think is the most important meaning of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam in general?

- Although the Mid-Autumn Festival has existed for many years, people still find it meaningful and exciting because for children, the Mid-Autumn Festival is an opportunity for them to have fun, enjoy the moon and enjoy the feast. For adults, the Mid-Autumn Festival is for family reunions, a day when everyone remembers each other, shares joy and happiness. On this occasion, families often buy tea cakes and wine to express gratitude to their ancestors and those who gave birth to them. This is also an opportunity for people to give each other meaningful gifts to express their affection.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival. Photo: PV

- Many generations of Vietnamese people since the August Revolution remember the Mid-Autumn Festival as an indispensable part of their childhood memories. For you, it must be the same...

- Our generation was born during the war, so although we knew that the Mid-Autumn Festival was a special day, because of the hardships, there was almost nothing. If anything, in my memory, the children in the village also went to the middle of the communal house yard, looked at the moon and played the game of chasing bears to eat the moon. When I grew up and became a teacher, what I remember most are the Mid-Autumn nights at school in the collective area; even though there were only a few cakes and candies, from children to adults, everyone was excited. The happiest scene was the scene of the whole family making lanterns together. The child with the biggest and most beautiful lantern would be at the head of the procession and the people behind would cheer and be happy...

Mid-Autumn Festival in the past. Photo archive

Help your child fix lanterns to prepare for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Photo courtesy

- What about Mid-Autumn Festival now...

- Nowadays, children do not lack anything during Mid-Autumn Festival because from the seventh lunar month, moon cakes have been sold a lot, and moon lanterns are also colorful and of all kinds. However, I also see that although there is no shortage of material things, children lack the atmosphere of the full moon day because electric lights have replaced the moonlight. Many children do not fully understand the value and meaning of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Moreover, the Mid-Autumn Festival has also been partly distorted when many people take advantage of this occasion to give gifts and bribes for personal purposes...

- Yes, public opinion has discussed that a lot, but from your personal point of view, what are you concerned about?

- Material things will eventually become saturated, the most desirable thing is that children understand the depth and value of the Mid-Autumn Festival. To do so, it is not too difficult and parents and relatives in the family can tell the children about the Mid-Autumn Festival, suggesting to them the good traditional values ​​of the nation. Organizing the Mid-Autumn Festival does not require a high-class feast, but only requires the attention of organizations and local authorities with many meaningful activities such as carrying lanterns, performing arts, reenacting the legend of Mr. Moon and Mr. Cuoi. In recent years, there have been many activities to help poor children and children in difficult areas during the Mid-Autumn Festival and in my opinion, it is a very humane activity. That not only creates beauty in the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival but also helps children in all regions to be equal, to have a real Mid-Autumn Festival...

- Thank you for the chat!

My Ha