SHESHAN (Shanghai): 28th September '04 --  Our special correspondent from Sheshan, a worker for the Don Bosco Foundation there, writes that 28th September is a time for special feasting in China: the moon festival feast, the second most important event in the Chinese festive calendar after New Year.  The correspondent notes that while in the US they like to send people to the moon, 'here in China we like to bring the moon to people'.  He then goes on to describe the abundance of food shared today...especially moon biscuits!

    The Chinese observe a wide variety of traditional and modern holidays, based both on the lunar and solar calendars. The traditional Chinese calendar was based on a lunar cycle-- that is, dates following the regular appearance of the full moon. Even so, the equinox and solstice were essential for determining seasons in China's agrarian society. With the international use of the Gregorian Calendar, some modern holidays, such as the birthdays of national leaders, are based on that. Effectively, though, 28th September is day 15 of the eighth moon in China and the Mid-Autumn Festival described above.

    This period recalls other festive moments too, for different groups - the Chinese martyrs, Confucius' birthday, a little further on the Ancestors' Sacrifice Festival.  October 1st will be National Day in the People's Republic.  Those outside China would note the importance of 1st October, which begins a month when no doubt many of us think of China.