On Sept 12, as the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the streets and alleys of Hong Kong were filled with a festive atmosphere. Multiple sets of lanterns with the theme "National Style, Hong Kong Flavor" blend traditional and modern designs, shining brightly at Victoria Park like a colorful painting unfolding along the banks of Victoria Harbour as dusk settles in.

Among them, the "Mid-Autumn Festival Lanterns Illuminate Hong Kong" themed series of events, planned by the Bauhinia Culture Group and executed by Zhongzhan, stands out with its unique characteristics. Craftsmen from Zigong city, Sichuan province, created a large set of lanterns with the theme "Joyful Travels in China," combining ancient traditional architecture with lively panda images, perfectly showcasing the splendid culture and traditional craftsmanship of the motherland.

The meticulously crafted pavilions and adorable panda lanterns, vivid and lifelike, depict scenarios like pandas sitting in bamboo groves, holding fresh bamboo shoots, cozying up together like intimate family members, exuding warmth. Some are depicted joyfully indulging in a hotpot feast, their round bodies contrasting with the lush bamboo, their endearing appearance beloved by people worldwide. Like a group of adorable messengers, they illuminate the night in Hong Kong, not only brimming with the joy of reunion but also conveying messages of peace, friendship, and unity.

Hong Kong residents praised the lantern exhibition, with a lady attending with her child expressing, "Seeing Chinese lanterns makes me feel very proud and content. These lanterns are not just artworks but also expressions of culture, a revisit to traditional culture."

Complementing the themed lantern displays, various forms of Guochao cultural performances such as the Hanfu flash mob "Ming Shi Mid-Autumn" and "Moon Worship Ceremony" were also staged concurrently, greatly enriching the public's experience of enjoying the lanterns and park activities.

Representative intangible cultural heritage skills from various regions of mainland China were also showcased. In the intangible cultural heritage market, master craftsmen of Xiangyun silk, Kung Fu tea, Cantonese embroidery, paper cutting, Jianzhan tea bowls, and more demonstrated their superb skills and endless artistic creativity, allowing Hong Kong residents and visitors to experience the enduring significance of traditional culture. A British tourist remarked, "Each piece in the market embodies deep Chinese cultural heritage, allowing me to feel the charm of China."

The "Mid-Autumn Festival Lanterns Illuminate Hong Kong" series of events, with its unique Chinese charm, attracted the attention of many Hong Kong residents, as well as visitors from mainland China and abroad. The crowds flocked to witness the dazzling lantern festival atmosphere, picking up cameras to capture these beautiful moments.

The Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival at Victoria Park in Hong Kong has been held for several editions consecutively. The 2024 Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival has innovatively enriched its activities and experiential forms on traditional foundations. As an important event celebrating the 75th National Day and Chinese Cultural Festival, this year's event emphasizes promoting the traditional Chinese cultural values of "Full Moon," "Family Reunion," and "Unity," enhancing the cultural identity and national pride of Hong Kong residents. The lantern exhibition will run from Sept 12 until the 18, with the park lighting up daily at 6:30 PM.