Mid-Autumn Festival Fun in North Glasgow

NORTH Glasgow was a sea of colour last weekend when Chinese families along with their neighbours and friends from around the world celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival at Saracen House.

Following on from previous successful events it was the second year running the event took place at the Bob Allan Conference Centre in Possilpark.

There are currently more than 60 Chinese families living in ng homes properties in North Glasgow and the event was attended by 140 people, many of them children. According to traditional Chinese culture, the moon is a carrier of human emotions and the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated every year, with people returning home from every corner of the world to meet their family and have dinner with them and admire the full moon.

Board Member for ng homes Richard Porter who welcomed everyone to the event said: “What a fantastic family event, its great to celebrate cultural diversity and we were delighted to welcome guests from China, Scotland, Africa and Jamaica to name but a few.”

Regeneration Manager for ng homes Margaret Layden said: “Being far from home the festival is very significant to the Chinese community and its meaning of family union and friendship fits perfectly with ng homes’ to create a new north Glasgow and make it a great place to live. We believe in bringing people from different backgrounds together to celebrate their cultural diversity.”

After some refreshments which included mooncakes, entertainment on the day featured performers from the Glasgow Oriental Dancing Association who performed some traditional Chinese Folk Dancing. Ladies from Possilpark and Parkhouse also performed some American Line Dancing with their new Chinese friends.

Accordionist John Carmichael also had everyone on their feet with traditional Scottish music and community dancing.

ng homes were also presented with some unique Chinese calligraphy by Mr Lu and Mr Chung which when translated means: Wishing you a prosperous and magnificent future.

Staff from Young People’s Future were also on hand to entertain the children with lots of fun and games.

The event forms part of the Build, Bridge, Bond programme supported by the Scottish Government’s People and Communities Fund.