From 6th to 8th September, the Canberra Moon Festival returned to the city with a diverse display of local artists and businesses.
The Canberra Moon Festival is an ode to culture and the offerings of harvest in the Northern Hemisphere.
After a year-long break in Canberra, the festival featured a greater array of entertainment and food compared to previous years.
Organiser of the festival, Fun Canberra, said one of the festival’s main goals is to support local businesses.
They said hiring local suppliers allows small businesses to trade during the event and generate economic value.
As I walked through the city, my eyes beamed with the sight of colourful lanterns and people in festive gear.
Foodie Lane
Following the stream of lanterns, I found myself in Foodie Lane.
I bought some lamb skewers and Chinese donuts from one of the local businesses, Wukong Hotpot.
They were eager to see people queuing for their food and invited customers to visit their restaurant in Dickson.
Foodie lane featured many small businesses but also a variety in culture.
There were approximately 20 stalls selling Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Filipino food.
What is the Moon Festival?
The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, began centuries ago in ancient China.
Fun Canberra said the festival was primarily celebrated in China before it spread to more than ten nations across Asia.
They said they started the festival in Canberra to transcend borders and bring people together.
Festival Activities
After energising myself with some skewers, I saw an area packed with activity.
From face painting to lantern making, there were activities for all ages.
People were lining up to join different activities as they munched on fairy floss and took photos of the lanterns.
A few game stalls gave out prizes given by sponsors to support local tourism and business.
One stall printed different Chinese characters on paper and held up each paper as they explained its meaning.
I picked a paper and they handed me a long brush dipped in black paint.
As I traced the lines of the character, the stall owners said each character represented a value celebrated during the festival.
They said the festival is a day for people to unite across all cultures to commemorate the values of righteousness, family, love and harmony.
Local Artists
While I waited for my painting to dry, I heard cheers from the stage ground.
A Chinese singer was strumming the mandolin, a traditional instrument, to the tune of ‘Cake by the Ocean’.
The next performance by So Samba shifted the energy of the crowd.
As the ladies took the stage, the excitement grew and people began clapping to the beat of Brazilian music
Fun Canberra said they are proud their festival showcases and supports Canberra’s artists.
They said providing local talent with a platform is important to promote their artistry and express the unity of the city.
Following Samba, the crowd was introduced to Indian Bollywood dancers who instantly captivated them.
The sun began to set but festivities continued.
Kids danced with the performers in front of the stage and the lanterns twinkled with the wind.
As I left the festival, more people started walking in.
The festival achieved its goal to promote local businesses and artists in the spirit of family and cross-culture unity.
