BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE
The Solomon Islands Chinese Women Association hosted the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival fair at Chung Wah School on Sunday, Sept 15th.
Attendees of the program included Minister for Education Tozen Leokana, Minister of Culture and Tourism Choylin Yim Douglas, Charge d’Affaires of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Embassy in Honiara, Mr. Ding Yonghua, and other officials from the PRC Embassy.
Also present were chairperson and members of the Chung Wah School Board, the school’s principal, teachers, students and their parents.
In his speech, the education minister, Leokana said the festival is much-cherished by the Chinese around the world.
“Traditionally, it is a time where farmers celebrate the abundance of the summer’s harvest, and where families gather to admire the moon”,
The minister said he is delighted to join the Chinese community in Honiara to celebrate the fair.
“I am also heartened that many Solomon Islanders, indigenous and naturalised Solomon Islanders including teachers and students of Chung Wah and their parents and friends have come in numbers to celebrate the festival as a time for family reunions”
Leokana said he was told that in the Chinese culture, the festival is attended by young and old generations who come together on balmy nights to savor both traditional and the latest mooncake creations.
Mr Ding Yonghua, the Charge d’Affaires of the Peoples Republic of China Embassy also delivered his remarks at the occasion.
He expressed that the Chinese in Solomon Islands celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in which they yearn for reunion and harmony for their families and their country.
“Let us celebrate together, appreciate the profound heritage of Chinese culture feel the warmth of home and express our deep love for our motherland”.
The program also included performances from the students.
