Mid-Autumn Festival event ‘A Date with the Moon’ to mesh tradition, innovation through art installation

Representatives of SCACA and Free & Easy Chinese Calligraphy Association presenting the event letter to Wee (centre).

KUCHING, July 15: A Mid-Autumn Festival event themed ‘A Date with the Moon’ will be a celebration of both tradition and innovation as an art installation that tells a story of the moon through a combination of art and technology will be put up for two days.

Jointly organised by the Sarawak Creative Arts and Cultural Association and the Free & Easy Chinese Calligraphy Association, the event is slated to be held on Sept 10 and 11 at No. 6 Base @ South Villa (Lot 6, Jalan Tan Sri Datuk William Tan), extending to the MBKS Garden across the street.

According to a press statement today, the organising committee has obtained the approval of Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng who has extended his support for the event.

The highlight of the festival will be the art installation titled ‘Moon Atop the Branches’ which is inspired by the 11th century poet Ouyang Xiu’s famous line: “the moon rose atop the willow tree; lovers kept their tryst after dusk”.

The project is designed and planned by architect Tay Tze Yong and supported by the Malaysia Institute of Architects (PAM) with the participation of university students.

Apart from that, the festival will also feature a Mid-Autumn-themed market, various talks and workshops, as well as traditional Chinese arts.

As part of its outreach, the event will also offer a range of classes and workshops for children of B40 families.

Another exciting and meaningful activity in store will be the ‘Lantern Riddles’, another tradition of the Mid-Autumn Festival, which will be presented in creative ways by the teachers and students of Chung Hua Middle School No 4.

Other activities currently being discussed include tea ceremony, calligraphy exhibition, chess tournament, Chinese orchestra, traditional Chao’an mooncake workshop, storytelling, lantern painting, lantern parade and more.

The No 6 Market is also looking for more vendors of traditional and home-cooked food, handmade items and small businesses to be part of the celebration. Anyone interested is welcome to contact SCACA secretary Tay Yit Ping at 019-8178878 via WhatsApp. — DayakDaily