Hand in Hand Chinese Culture Program

Hand in Hand hosted a special event inviting author Virginia Cornue to come speak to the parents about adoption and cultural identity. Virginia was invited to Atlanta to make a presentation on stereotypes about China, adoption and girls at the National Council for the Social Studies annual meeting and Hand in Hand was fortunate enough to have her come speak for our parents.

Virginia is author of books The Dragon’s Daughters Return (Thimbleberry Press, 2007) and Draw On Culture: Little Friends Around the World (Thimbleberry Press, 2009)

Visit the Thimbleberry Press website for more information about Virginia Cornue and her work and take a look at The Dragon’s Daughters Return and Draw On Culture: Little Friends Around the World.

The Kung Fu Panda event was so much fun! We started off with a Kung Fu demonstration by Master Yang's Tai Chi Kung Fu Academy. They performed a very cool Kung Fu sword routine. Then Mr. Wang's Kung Fu Academy performed some very cool Kung Fu routines as well. Afterwards, everyone settled in for the movie. There was lots of yummy food and everyone had a great time!

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Time: 2:30-5 pm
Location: Perimeter Church Midtown Auditorium

Learn Chinese!
kung fu - 功夫
martial arts - 武术 (wu shu)
panda - 熊猫 (xiong mao)

Watch a YouTube Video of the Performance!

Our Autumn Moon event was a wonderful evening for everyone! We had over 100 people attend! The kids painted lanterns, wrote calligraphy, and did crafts. Dinner was very delicious, and everyone got to taste moon cake, a tradition of the Autumn Moon Festival. After dinner, the Hand in Hand language class students put on a play, acting out the story of Chang'e, the goddess who lives on the moon with her little bunny rabbit. When it got dark, all the kids went outside on a lantern parade, and looking up at the moon, we might've seen Chang'e with her little bunny on the moon!

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2009
Time: 4-8 pm
Location: Glen Abbey Clubhouse

About the Autumn Moon Festival
The 15th day of every 8th lunar month is the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. It is the most important festival after the Chinese Lunar New Year. The moon on the night of the 15th day of lunar August is believed to be fuller and brighter than in other months. A full moon is a symbol of togetherness. As such, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunion. Generally speaking, eating moon cakes, enjoying the moon and lighting up lanterns are common traditions on the festival. (from www.cultural-china.com)

Learn Chinese!
Chang E (the moon goddess) - 嫦娥 (chang e)
Autumn Moon Festival - 中秋节 (zhong qiu jie)
Moon Cake - 月饼 (yue bing)

It was rainy outside, but inside, we were warm and dry, enjoying an afternoon of Chinese music and art. The afternoon consisted of musical and dance performances by Chinese teens who showcased a variety of traditional Chinese instruments such as Erhu, Guzheng, and Dizi, while the talented big sisters performed two Chinese folk dances. The kids then learned about Chinese art, making Chinese paper cuts and kites, a Chinese invention and art form. It was a fun and educational afternoon for all!

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Time: 3-5:30 pm
Location: Haynes Landing Clubhouse