KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Long before the Mid-Autumn Festival became synonymous with mooncakes, lanterns and family reunions, the season was rooted in the autumn harvest, a time when farming communities gathered to celebrate a good harvest after months of hard work, while preparing for winter ahead.
Bringing this ancient heritage into the present, an immersive artistic experience has been unveiled at Kwai Chai Hong, a restored historical laneway in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown, known for its captivating murals depicting the life of the capital city's long-standing Chinese community.
At the heart of the Kwai Chai Hong installation are paddy stalks harvested from Malaysian rice fields. While the exhibition celebrates Chinese cultural heritage, its core message reflects Malaysia's broader multicultural fabric.
"Every grain of rice begins as a seed, nurtured by fertile land, favorable weather and dedicated hands before making its way to the table. This enduring relationship between effort and abundance resonates deeply across Malaysia's diverse cultural landscape," the laneway's founders said in a statement.
This harmony is reflected in local folklore: while the Chinese proverb "lì lì jiē xīn kǔ" reminds us that "every grain of rice comes from hard work," the Malay phrase "kalau tak habis makan, nanti nasi menangis" (finish your rice or the rice will cry) uses empathy to discourage waste and respect for labor. Together, these cultural pillars foster a foundational sense of gratitude, resourcefulness and lifelong respect for labor from a young age, it said.
Kwai Chai Hong co-founder Zeen Chang said every harvest begins with hope and ends with gratitude. "From a tiny seed, every stage carries a story of care, dedication and hope. For us, Mid-Autumn is an opportunity to bring these values into the present and remind ourselves to appreciate not only the abundance we enjoy, but also the people, traditions and communities behind it," she said.
Meanwhile, the nearby Petaling Street hosted cultural performances, dazzling lantern displays and fireworks. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing, who attended the festivities, said the festival reflected Malaysia's multicultural identity and the importance of embracing diverse traditions.
"I am delighted to see people from different races and religions celebrating together today. We should appreciate our diverse cultures with open hearts and share them with one another," he said.
Beyond these areas, decorations marking the Mid-Autumn Festival have sprung up across Kuala Lumpur, with lanterns featuring dragons, rabbits and other traditional designs decorating shopping malls, popular tourist areas and even people's homes, while mooncakes, traditional pastries dedicated to the festival, are found for sale around every corner, with a huge variety available.
Halal mooncakes epitomize the degree to which the festival has become a part of the Malaysian culture as a whole, according to Kat W. Wong, executive director and chief strategist at the Center for Advanced Studies and Research.
"In Malaysia, the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated by the Chinese community with the tradition of family gathering, a sense of gratitude and prayers for future prosperity, with a little touch of modernity. Although many have done away with moon-gazing, the young and old continue to gather with family and friends as a symbol of togetherness and appreciation," she told Xinhua.
"Over the decades, the Mid-Autumn Festival in Malaysia has also evolved into a significant celebration beyond the Chinese community. Mooncakes and gatherings are now enjoyed with the participation of friends from Malay and other communities," she added. ■