GEORGE TOWN: Call her old-fashioned, but bank officer Novelle Ooi is still fascinated by the traditional wire lantern in the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The 38-year-old bought herself a fish-shaped lantern made from multi-hued cellophane paper.
“I want my children to have an idea what these traditional, animal-shaped lanterns look like.
“When I see this type of lanterns hanging all over the shops, it instantly brings back nostalgic memories. It reminds me of the days when we took part in processions carrying lanterns of different colours, shapes and sizes. This tradition must be passed on from generation to generation,” she said when met at a shop in Carnarvon Street here yesterday.
However, her two children – Oswen Low, five, and Perseus, three – preferred the battery-operated ones, said Ooi.
She was nevertheless happy to expose her young kids to traditional Chinese festivals and take them away from their modern devices.
Apart from lanterns, the festival is also synonymous with mooncakes of various flavours. This year, it will be celebrated tomorrow – the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar.
Air-conditioning engineer Lim Chee Keong, 46, said the Mid-Autumn Festival was significant in Chinese culture as it symbolises reunion.
He bought two cellophane lanterns for his children to instil traditional values in them from a young age.
“I want them to enjoy the festival with their family and friends too.
“After having a quiet celebration these past two years because of the pandemic, we are looking forward to gathering with our family and close friends this weekend,” he said.
Shop owner Kenny Lim, 38, said business was brisk this year at his shop, also in Carnarvon Street here.
“This year, there are a lot of walk-in customers. Plus, the celebration coincides with the school holidays, and many overseas tourists are intrigued by the beautiful lanterns,” he said.
Lim noted that this year, lanterns of unicorns, dinosaurs and Disney characters were in great demand.