Chinese celebrate Full Moon Festival
Throughout the night tonight, members of the Belize Chinese community will take to the streets…filling the air with the colour of culture, the rhythm of beating drums, and the explosions of firecrackers. But they aren’t just making noise. It’s all part of the Full Moon Festival. The festival is celebrated every year and as President of the Belize Chinese Association Lee Mark Chang explains, it’s one tradition the community is determined to share with the wider society.
Janelle Chanona
“Tell me the meaning behind the festival.”
Lee Mark Chang, President, Belize Chinese Association
“It was when one dynasty they went and rebel against one of the other dynasties a couple thousand years ago and they passed on messages in cakes. That’s where this celebration started.”
“We don’t want anybody to forget, we want also the Belizean public to know a part of our culture also.”
Janelle Chanona
“What exactly will you be doing during the parade?”
Lee Mark Chang
“We will be going around town from business establishment to business establishment and we will be setting off firecrackers and celebrating.”
After the parade tours Chinese establishments all over town, they will return to the Chon Saan Palace at the corner of Nurse Seay and Kelly Streets.
