In the primary assembly, Hiba teachers and pupils celebrated the festival in their own unique ways. To learn the origin of the festival, pupils watched a video where some believe it originated from the ancient tradition in China when the emperors worshipped the Sun in spring and the Moon in autumn, while others believe it was an occasion to rejoice in bountiful harvests in autumn. Six pupils in grade 6 recited the most popular lyric on the festival named Prelude to Water Melody by the great poet Su Shi. Their learning was further extended to another popular lyric titled Dreaming of the Southern Shore, where the reputed poet Bai Juyi wrote about how he appreciated Osmanthus fragrans at a temple up on a hill under the moonlight and watching the tides of Qiantang River gaining momentum. These are the two things recommended to do specifically in Hangzhou as ways to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The assembly culminated with a contest for knowledge on Mid-Autumn Festival. Twenty class representatives formed into five groups with their own passionate cheerleaders. Finally, groups A and E won the contest with a high score of 18. To conclude the assembly, two grade 6 pupils presented a duet of the song Me and My Country with their Guzheng and violin. It was a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to appreciate our profound culture and celebrate their cultural identity, a chance to boost their cultural confidence.
