International students have a ball. They were celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival at Shanghai Maritime University. [Photo from Wechat account SMUIEC]

To promote Chinese traditional culture, enhance cultural exchanges and strengthen friendship among students, the International Education College of Shanghai Normal University held a Mid-Autumn Festival culture experiencing activity.

More than 30 international students and teachers participated in the activity which was staged in three parts -- a presentation on Mid-Autumn Festival culture, making festival lanterns and tasting moon cakes.

In the presentation, Yu Mei, a teacher of Chinese Culture, explained historical legends, connotations and celebration customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Readings of classic Chinese poems about the festival were appreciated too.

After the presentation, the students lit up the festival lanterns they made and sang songs together to celebrate the wonderful day.

The highlight was when the overseas students and teachers enjoyed the traditional moon cakes.

The students expressed their excitement and expectations that these kinds of activities would help give them a better understanding of Chinese culture.

Students from Malaysia and Vietnam also shared the stories about festival lanterns in their countries.