To celebrate the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival, a mooncake & flower lantern making activity was held in South Campus of Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT). Faculty and students gathered together to make Chaoshan-style mooncakes and flower lanterns, which combines intangible cultural heritage techniques.

Chaoshan-style mooncakes, also known as "Lao Cakes", is one of the four main kinds of Chinese Mooncakes, as well as a traditional pastry delicacy in Chaoshan area. "Lao" is pronounced the same as "lard" in Chaoshan dialect. With it, the crust can be rather thin and crispy, and the fillings will taste more sweet and smooth, making it a must-have for the Mid-Autumn Festival in local areas and famous overseas for its uniquely delicious taste.

Various materials for making "Lao Cakes" are well prepared at the table, including the water-oiled crust and diverse fillings. After introducing the history and culture of this traditional food, the professional pastry chef thoroughly demonstrated the production process.

With guidance and help, teachers and students put on masks and gloves to craft mooncakes themselves. They meticulously pressed the bread skin, wrapped the fillings, and shaped the mooncake. As the round and lovely mooncakes emerged one after another, the guiders helped apply red stamps to them, distribute each one with a unique number, and conduct on-site baking.

A GTIIT student with handmade Chaoshan Mooncake

Prof. Marcelo Fabián Ciappina has been in China for four years, but this is his first time participating in GTIIT's Mid-Autumn Festival activity, and his first time making and tasting Chaoshan-style mooncakes. He and his wife both enjoy Chinese culture and Chaoshan culture. They watched the vibrant Dragon Boat Race and learned about China's tomb-sweeping traditions, immersing themselves in the strong traditional festival atmosphere in Shantou.

The venue was crowded with GTIIT faculty and students, and most of them were freshmen students. The event marked the first traditional festival they experienced after entering the university, and was also the first time they got close to local culture and cuisines. "I just made a Chaoshan-style mooncake and now I am very much looking forward to tasting them," said Dong Haoxin, a freshman majoring in GTIIT Mechanical Engineering Program. He found that there were some differences between Chaoshan-style mooncakes and those near his hometown, Shandong Province. "We in north areas tend to make mooncakes with nut fillings, while the ones here are filled with beans," introduced Dong.

Faculty and students made flower lanterns at the activity

As a Sino-foreign university, GTIIT has held diverse cultural activities during traditional Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival for many years. The events create a warm, open and inclusive festive atmosphere at GTIIT campus, allowing faculty and students from different backgrounds to gather together. Multiple intangible cultural heritage enriches campus life, as well as helps build the bridge of friendship and intercultural communication among GT community.

Text/Photos: GTIIT News & Public Affairs, Zhang Shuwen