CEDP Mid-Autumn Festival 2026
A Celebration of Culture and Community and Togetherness
26 September 2026
On 26 September, CEDP Chinese Centre welcomed families, friends and community members to its Mid-Autumn Festival celebration at BMECP Centre in Brighton.
Long before the doors opened, CEDP members and student volunteers were busy decorating the venue and preparing activities. Soon, the centre was filled with lanterns, laughter and a warm festive atmosphere.
Visitors enjoyed hands-on cultural experiences including mooncake making, lantern making, bracelet making and traditional Chinese sugar art. The lion dance brought plenty of smiles, with some performers taking their very first steps inside the lion costume. For CEDP, culture is not simply something to watch — it is something to experience, participate in and share.
A special highlight was “China Through Photos”. Matthew, a British friend with extensive travel experience in China, worked with Fen Zhou to turn selected photographs into stories, questions and quizzes. Through images, maps and conversation, the audience discovered different places, histories and everyday life across China.
The programme continued with Regina’s bilingual poetry recital, supported by Fen Ge, followed by an energetic Zumba performance led by CEDP’s new CEO, Peipei. Music then brought another cultural connection as Frank — grandson of former Brighton Mayor Carol — and his friends performed music by Mayday through live drumming. Their enthusiasm showed how a shared interest in music can become a bridge between cultures.
Even an unexpected sound-system problem created a memorable moment. Our experienced host Cici calmly stepped in and sang The Moon Represents My Heart without accompaniment, bringing warmth back to the room. As Cici later reflected, an event may not be perfect, but sincerity can make every gathering feel full of love and warmth.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is about reunion and togetherness. At CEDP, people of different ages, languages and cultural backgrounds came together through a mooncake, a lantern, a photograph, a song and a shared experience.
Building bridges, sharing cultures, and creating a sense of home away from home — this is what makes our community special.
Thank you to all our volunteers, student helpers, performers and everyone who joined us and made the day possible.
