中国传统节日(CHINESE TRADITIONAL FESTIVAL)--中秋节概述

中国传统节日(CHINESE TRADITIONAL FESTIVAL)--中秋节概述
A Brief Introduction of Mid-Autumn Festival
On the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar [ˈlju:nə] calendar [ˈkælində](月球), the moon is round and the Chinese people mark their Moon (or Mid-autumn) Festival. The round shape(圆形) to a Chinese means family reunion [ˌri:ˈju:niən](团圆). Therefore the Moon Festival is a holiday for members of a family to get together wherever it is possible. On that day sons and daughters will bring their family members back to their parents’ house for a reunion. Sometimes people who have already settled overseas will come back to visit their parents on that day.

月饼
Moon Cakes
Celebrations(庆祝) are held at night with moon cakes playing a predominant [priˈdɔminənt](主要的) role. These are small round tarts(饼) baked with different fruit fillings-date(水果馅), pear, apple and pomegranate [ˈpɔmˌgrænɪt, ˈpɔmɪ-, ˈpʌm-, ˈpʌmɪ-](石榴) among others. People used to lay out(准备) a feast [fi:st](节日) with good wine. When the moon was rising in a clear sky, they would place the moon cakes and fresh fruit on a table as an offering. Even today a family will sit around the table, enjoying the beautiful moon and eating moon cakes and fruit. Those who are away from home try to return for a family reunion, giving the occasion [əˈkeiʒən](场合) its other name-Family Reunion Festival.