Foreign expats celebrate Mid-autumn Festival in Ordos

Attendees of the activity pose for a photograph. [Photo/WeChat account of Ordosnews]

A group of foreign expats gathered at a book bar in Dongsheng district, Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Sept 17. The group were there to celebrate China’s Mid-autumn Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month –– Sept 24, this year. 

The gathering was organized by Ordos publicity department, Ordos administration for foreign expat affairs, Ordos New Media Center and Dongsheng publicity department. 

Among the group of 50 participants were six families, with several families containing both Chinese and foreign citizens. 

Together the group learned about traditional Mid-autumn festival customs, with some of the foreigners sharing their experiences about living in Ordos, as well as their thoughts about China. 

The group all had a go at making moon cakes, a traditional food served during the festival, before playing taking part in a series of games. 

While the gathering brought together strangers, Mid-autumn Festival is traditionally a time for family to get together. 

“Thanks to the Ordos government and thanks to the lovely friends here, I’m already an authentic Ordos local now,” said Aaron, a local expat. 

Aaron, who is a British citizen, married a local woman in 2010, and now has two daughters. In May, he became the first foreigner in Ordos to receive one of China’s green cards. 

It has been a regular practice to invite foreign expats living in Ordos to celebrate traditional Chinese festivals as a way to help them learn more about Chinese culture and develop a closer bond with the local residents of the city. 

This year’s activity marks the third time Ordos publicity department has organized such an event, and the local government plans to hold more such events in the future.

A group of foreign expats learn to make moon cakes to celebrate Mid-autumn Festival. [Photo/WeChat account of Ordosnews]