On the afternoon of Tuesday 7 October 2025, Lancaster University Confucius Institute hosted a warm and festive Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in The Roundhouse. Around 25 students and Confucius Institute staff joined the gathering, which brought together poetry, music, and traditional customs to mark one of the most cherished festivals in Chinese culture.

The event opened with welcoming remarks and an introduction to the significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival—an occasion for family reunion, appreciation of the full moon, and reflection on connection across distances. Guests were then treated to a literary celebration of the moon through classic Chinese poetry.

Dr Derek Hird began the afternoon’s readings with the Tang dynasty poem《望月怀远》(Thinking of My Distant Loved Ones Under the Moon), evoking feelings of nostalgia and longing that resonate deeply with the festival’s spirit. This was followed by Dr Chao Yang's reading of Su Shi’s famous Song dynasty piece《水调歌头·明月几时有》(Prelude to Water Melody: When Will the Bright Moon Appear?), one of the most beloved poems in the Chinese literary tradition.

To accompany the readings, the timeless Mid-Autumn song《但愿人长久》(May We All Be Blessed with Longevity) was played, echoing the poetic theme of reunion and enduring friendship beneath the same moon. Participants were taught to sing and joined the melody together.

Guests enjoyed traditional mooncakes while sipping fragrant Chinese tea, creating a convivial and reflective atmosphere. Conversation flowed easily as participants shared impressions of the poems and discussed the customs surrounding the festival.

The celebration in The Roundhouse offered participants an authentic experience of Chinese culture through poetry, music, and taste. By bringing people together to share art, tradition, and community spirit, the event reflected the Confucius Institute’s continuing mission to foster intercultural understanding and appreciation.