The Moon Festival, a traditional Chinese festival, is also celebrated in Paris in the 13th arrondissement, the city's favorite Chinatown. From September 9 to 21, 2024, share in Asian culture through a wide range of events, including concerts, art, screenings and a street food market.
Everyone knows about Chinese New Year, widely celebrated in Paris, but do you know about the Moon Festival? It's the 2nd most important festival for the Chinese. Every year, the 13th arrondissement celebrates the Moon Festival, making it Paris' premier Asian music festival. This year, we look forward to seeing you from September 9 to 21 for a program rich in discoveries.
Over the course of several days, a wide variety of events will give you the chance to appreciate the different cultures of Asia. From the Peking Opera and the Mid-Autumn Concert, to gastronomy at Rice and the Treiz'Asiatique Market, there's plenty to do on the program.
As you know, the 13th arrondissement is home to a large Asian community. Promoting its culture contributes to the multicultural sharing that makes this arrondissement so rich and vibrant. It's a golden opportunity to exchange ideas and make new acquaintances.
The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is a thousand-year-old Chinese tradition celebrated at the moment when the moon is the roundest and brightest of the year. A symbol of family togetherness in China, it is also a children's festival in Vietnam and a harvest festival in Korea.
The program for the Fête de la Lune 2024 in the 13th district:
- TheFestival des Arts et Métiers chinois exhibition will run from September 9 to 21 at the Mairie du 13e, in the Athéna, Bièvre and Antichambre galleries. This event will enable you to discover some forty works of contemporary Chinese art, some certified as intangible cultural heritage, with paintings, embroidery and paper folding exhibited for the first time in Paris.
- On Tuesday September 17, several workshops and seminars are scheduled at the Mairie du 13e. From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Zhu Xinling will talk about the differences between French and Chinese embroidery. From 11am to 12pm, Huang Xiaoxian will talk about the history and aesthetics of Chinese paper folding. In the afternoon, from 2.30pm to 5pm, a Chinese paper-folding workshop will be held in the Galerie Bièvre.
- Also on September 17, a Tribute to Akira Toriyama evening will take place from 7 to 9.30pm at the 13th arrondissement's Mairie, Salle des Fêtes. The recently deceased creator of Dragon Ball will be celebrated with an evening full of surprises for manga fans.
- On Wednesday, September 18, from 2:30 to 5:30 pm,Peking Opera will be performed in the Salle des Fêtes of the Mairie du 13e. After an introduction to this traditional Chinese art form, there will be interactive demonstrations and a make-up workshop for children, followed by a performance of the most famous excerpts from Peking Opera. The afternoon will close with a tasting of moon cakes.
- On Thursday, September 19, from 7:30pm to 9pm, don't miss the screening of the documentary "Opération Dragon avec Kevin Rolland". This film, focusing on dragon boat racing in China, will be followed by a meeting with the champion teams of these traditional competitions.
- On Friday September 20, from 8pm to 10pm, a new concert entitled "De Lorient à l'Orient" will be held at the Salle des Fêtes. This musical show, fusing Breton and Chinese traditions, will highlight rare instruments and offer a unique sound experience.
- On Saturday September 21, boulevard Auguste Blanqui will play host to RICE - Le Marché Treiz'Asiatique from 12pm to 10pm. Over 40 Asian street food and craft stalls will let you discover all the flavors of Asia in a festive, friendly atmosphere.
- At the Médiathèque Jean-Pierre Melville, several events will mark the celebration of the Moon Festival. From September 3 to 15, an exhibition on the art of Vietnamese tea will be open to the public. On Saturday September 14, a musical breakfast devoted to Vietnamese music will take place at 11am, followed by an afternoon workshop on Vietnamese teas, from 4pm to 5:30pm(booking required).
- From September 17, an exhibition of illustrations from Chinese children's books will be open to the whole family. On Saturday September 21, two literary and artistic workshops for children are also on the program: from 2 to 3:30 p.m., a story reading followed by a creative painting workshop for 4 to 6 year-olds, and from 4 to 5:30 p.m., a Chinese lantern-making workshop for 6 to 8 year-olds(on reservation).
This rich and varied program offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Asian cultures through art, gastronomy and traditions.
Find out all about the program.
