Autumn Moon Festival

Tuesday 28 September 2004 at 6:45 pm A report from The British Chen Style Tai Chi College

Sunday 26th September saw Manchester's Albert Square transformed by the Chinese to celebrate the Autumn Moon Festival. Chinese lanterns hung from the trees and the fragrance of Chinese cooking filled the air, from the stalls providing noodles, fried rice and spring rolls. Following speeches from the Mayor of Manchester and the Chinese Consul, the activities were started by a traditional lion dance performed by children from the "Buddah's Light" Association.

Then about 30 students from the British Chen Style Tai Chi College gave a 45 minute performance which included the Form, sabre, sword and the Fan! As the stage was not big enough ( no one realises just how much space you need for the form, let alone with sword or sabre extending your reach) the students performed in the centre of the square outside the Town Hall!



The response from the mostly Chinese Audience was amazing! The Chinese Consul personally came to congradulate us after the performance. Many of our students were in traditional silk suits (brought back from our training trips to China) and we gave a strong impression of watching Tai Chi morning practise in China!

It is clear to the Chinese that we are trained in China and our movements are standard.

Two of the students taking part, Sarah Pek and Loretta Pinna recently won trophies at the Euro- Wirral competition for the Form and for Sword!

Many Chinese came to congradulate us and ask for a photo to be taken with us!



Later there were traditional Chinese folk dancing and singing performances and a spectacular dispay of Kung Fu from Manchester's own "Golden Dragon", Shaolin Master Chen De Ching and his students. Master Chen performed a spectacular Praying Mantis, his students showed Shaolin Long fist, sabre, staff and Halberd. There exhibiton was completed by Master Chen De Ching showing his Chen Style Tai Chi Cannon Fist!



This is the first time the Autumn Moon Festival has been celebrated outside of China Town. The weather kindly held off the rain for the performances and a good time was had by all!