As the bright moon shines and Osmanthus fragrance spread,International Tea Culture Club (ITCC) of Zhejiang University held its academicyear's very first event during Mid Autumn Festival. This event was a Tea partycalled "festival baked with tea".  The Tea Partyincluded two segments: Tea acrobatics from the Song Dynasty and Mid AutumnCulture Sharing. This provides friends from all over the world an opportunityto experience and appreciate the Chinese traditional festival.

   The Tea Party commences as light folk songs ringing in thebackground. The host, Cristine started by introducing the origin of Mid AutumnFestival and its place as the second largest traditional festival after SpringFestival.

   When talking about the Mid-Autumn festival culture, several fairytales ought to be mentioned. For example, Chang E flying to the moon, The JadeRabbit pounding herbs and WuGang chopping Osmanthus laurels.

    Mid Autumn Festival, traditionally as a festival to pray haveincluded many activities in the folk as well. Admiring lanterns, enjoying mooncakes, fire dragon dance, appreciating Sweet scented osmanthus wine as well asserving offerings to the moon for blessing are some of the common traditions onthis joyous occasion. In this Mid-autumn Tea Party, ITCC strived to create awarm atmosphere for everyone by replacing Sweet scented osmanthus wine withosmanthus and Longjing tea.

    After the brief introduction, the entire tea party reached itsclimax��Tea acrobaticsdemostration and hands on. There is a famous saying in the Chinese tea culture"Tea simmered in the Tang Dynasty, dipped in the Song Dynasty and brewedin the Ming Dynasty". Tea acrobatics began in the late Tang dynasty andwas popular in the Song dynasties. Emperor Song Hui Zong's drawing "Thedrawing of Wen Hui" has demonstrated that tea acrobatics was a popularfeat during that time.

    After the demonstration, everyone was eagerto try and thus began their own individual creations. The white tea powder andgreen tea powder dissolved in the container and was wipped into a thick paste.All members whisk the liquid and surface of the tea rapidly to create a teafoam after pouring a large quantity of hot water. Although it was the firsttry, everyone did it exceptionally well under the patient guidance of thestaff. When the foam is delicate and creamy, this marks that it is ready fortea drawing using tea paste.

    In the drawing process, everyone unleashedtheir creativity to create some innovative works of art. Some drew lovelypandas, some drew three pools mirroring the moon which is Xihu's famousscenary, some people brought forth a laurel tree under the moon with the aid oftea leaves and osmanthus flowers.Small cups of tea art condensed everyone'sheart together. With Beautiful Scenaries, close friends and pleasant talks, isn'tthat what happiness is?

   The wind clears the cloud and presenting ofthe shiny moonlight, blessed with Beautiful Scenery and wonderful times.Wishingyou and your family to have a happy reunion, peace and prosperity on MidAutumn.