南安普敦華人協會成功舉辦“廿二週年和慶中秋”晚會
海上昇明月，天涯共此時。 2021年9月21日下午5時半，JRC環球餐廳變得人潮湧動，喜慶熱鬧，英國南安普敦華人協會約250餘人相聚於此，喜迎中秋佳節共慶廿二週年。
這是自疫情爆發以來會員們最大規模聚會，華人協會以這樣大規模的形式慶祝廿二週年和中秋節，是對海外華人美好生活的最好詮釋和展示；會員們攜家人，孩子和朋友一同前來，以如此高的熱情和參與度，是對華人協會大家庭的愛和期冀；委員們更是煞費苦心，組織策劃了豐富多彩的活動項目，從下午就開始佈置現場，調試音響設備，確保晚會成功舉辦。
此次活動得到了南安普敦市及社會各界人士的支持與參與。南安普敦市副市長，社區文化和遺產內閣成員，首席督察分別緻辭，送上了節日的問候和祝福。遊記超市，川味園和上海灘中餐館為本次活動提供了物質支持。
中秋節是中國傳統節日中最具人文情懷的節日，慶祝活動自然少不了中國傳統文化藝術表演，舞獅，竹笛 等表演不時引來陣陣掌聲和歡呼聲。一陣鑼鼓喧天后，搖頭擺尾神氣昂揚的舞獅表演將晚會推向高潮，鄧志堅師傅帶領的忠信龍獅團舞獅表演令孩子們著迷，也為晚會增添了喜慶歡樂的氛圍。多才多藝的黃嵩鈞會長，一曲竹笛演奏，旋律靈透，沁人心脾，勾起思鄉之情。弘揚中國傳統文化是華人協會的宗旨之一，通過‘講好中國故事’ 李異青先生動情地講解中秋節來歷，習俗等知識，讓出生在海外的小朋友們走進中秋文化，感受節日的美好以及中國傳統文化的魅力。特別嘉賓‘花木蘭’還穿越到場助興。
敬老愛老是中華民族的傳統美德，晚會現場，協會委員為七十歲以上會員送上情意滿滿的中秋利是和誠摯關懷，在親切的祝福問候中，老人們臉上綻開幸福的笑容。
晚會設置問答和抽獎環節，會員們在品嚐各種美食的同時，還有機會贏取大獎。大家踴躍參與互動，現場氣氛一度達到高潮。
晚會在大家歡歌笑語中和依依不捨中圓滿結束。
報告來自 康洪彬⼥⼠
The Chinese Association of Southampton successfully held the “22nd Anniversary and Mid-Autumn Festival” Gala
“The moon rises above the sea, and the whole world shares this moment”. At 5:30pm on 21st September 2021, JRC Global Buffet became crowded with festive atmosphere. About 250 people from the Chinese Association of Southampton gathered here to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and the 22nd anniversary. This is the largest gathering of the Asociation since the outbreak of the pandemic. Such large scale celebration is the best interpretation and demonstration of the beautiful life of overseas Chinese. Members bring their families, children and friends together to join the event with such a high degree of enthusiasm and participation. This shows the love and expectation to the big family of the Chinese Association. The committee members took great pains to organize and to plan a variety of activities and programmes. They began to arrange the scene and test the audio equipment from the early afternoon, for ensuring that the party can be held successfully.
This event received support and participation from people of all walks of life in Southampton. The Sheriff of Southampton, Cabinet Members for ‘Communities, Culture and Heritage’, as well as the Chief Inspector delivered speeches and sent festive greetings to all. Yau Brothers Supermarket, Szechuen Kitchen and Shanghai Bay Chinese Restaurant provided material support for this event.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is the festival with the most humanistic feeling among the traditional Chinese festivals. Naturally, the celebrations include traditional Chinese cultural and artistic performances, including lion dance and bamboo flutes that drew applause and cheers. After a tumult of gongs and drums, the unique lion dance performance pushed the party to a climax. The lion dance performance of the Waterside Lion Dance Group led by Master Tang fascinated the children and added the festive and joyful atmosphere to the party. The gifted chairperson Michael Ng played a bamboo flute, with a brilliant melody, which is refreshing and also evokes homesickness. Promoting traditional Chinese culture is one of the objectives of the Chinese Association. Mr Matthew Li passionately explained the origins, customs and other knowledge of the Mid-Autumn Festival, allowing children born overseas to enter the Mid-Autumn Festival culture and feel the beauty and charm of the traditional Chinese culture and festival. The special guest “Mulan” also time-traveled to the scene, cheering up the celebration.
Respect and love for the elderly have always been the traditional virtues of the Chinese people. Committee members of the association presented the red-package and sincere care to over 70-year-old senior members. These cordial blessings put happy smiles on the faces of the senior members. There were also quiz and raffle draw sessions at the party. While tasting a variety of delicacies, members also have the opportunity to win prizes. Everyone actively participated in the sessions, and the atmosphere of the scene reached another climax. The party ended successfully with everyone singing and laughing.
Reported by Ms Hongbin Kang
