This morning, as I walked into my daughter's school and saw vibrant lanterns adorning the entryway, lovingly put up by parent volunteers, a wave of nostalgia hit me. Clutching a tin of double-yolk mooncakes, I was transported back to my childhood in Hong Kong, where the Mid-Autumn Festival was a time of joy, family, and light. Seeing these familiar symbols in a school far from where I grew up made me reflect on the beauty of schools that actively celebrate important festivals from different cultures.
At first glance, these decorations might seem like simple gestures—bright colors to light up the hallways and "teachable moments" about diverse cultures. While they do serve these important purposes, when schools create spaces to celebrate cultural events, they become more than just places of learning—schools transform into community hubs: generative spaces for community members to be seen and known; culturally responsive spaces that decenter dominant narratives and elevate diverse ways of being; safe spaces for individuals to make sense of their multicultural identities.
Schools transform into community hubs that breathe life into cultural traditions, drawing in students, teachers, and parents and fostering deep community connections. Would parents have observed Mid-Autumn Festival if the school had not organized a special celebration? Would teachers have called it a work day and then headed home, only to see friends from across the world celebrating on social media? Would students have acquired a few "nice to know" words and phrases that made the festival interesting but not relevant to their lives? When schools make the effort to celebrate important festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival, they do more than preserve cultural traditions—they actively shape and strengthen the bonds that hold generations of communities together. These spaces don’t just reflect diversity; they generate new ways for cultures to flourish and continue, making everyone feel seen and valued.
As I bring these mooncakes back to my family, I am filled with gratitude for schools that recognize and invest in the power of cultural celebration. Schools are the heart of our communities, serving as spaces for identity formation and ensuring that our cultural practices remain alive and vibrant for future generations.
中秋節快樂!