BEIJING, Oct 7: The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of China’s most cherished traditional festivals. It is held on the 15th day of the eighth month on the Chinese lunar calendar, when the moon is at its fullest, which symbolizes family reunion. This year, the day falls on Monday, October 6.
China Media Group (CMG) on Monday presented its annual Mid-Autumn Festival Gala to global audiences. Recorded in Deyang, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, the Gala lit up the historic city with a dazzling blend of classical heritage, cutting-edge technology and international artistry, leaving viewers at home and abroad with a memorable celebration of peace and unity.
Tradition meets technology
Deyang, situated on the fertile Chengdu Plain, boasts both modern industrial strength and the rich heritage of the ancient Shu Kingdom, which suddenly disappeared approximately 2,000 years ago. It is home to the 3,000-year-old archaeological site of Sanxingdui, a revolutionary 20th-century discovery that has unveiled new clues about the brilliance and sophistication of early Chinese civilization.
One of the gala’s most talked-about highlights was an AI robot guiding viewers through the relics of Sanxingdui, bringing centuries-old artifacts into dynamic interaction with modern audiences.
The performance bridged ancient mystery and contemporary tech, letting heritage “speak” in a new mode. Immersive visual effects, outdoor filming and micro-documentary inserts further enriched the narrative texture, making the gala feel like a cinematic cultural journey. Reimagining the classics
The gala also gave fresh interpretations to beloved works. A standout performance fused the Chinese ballad “The Moon Represents My Heart” with the Western classic “Stand by Me,” delivered by Grammy Award-winning ensemble Time for Three and Chinese singer Jike Junyi. This unexpected pairing showcased music’s magic to transcend borders and connect audiences worldwide.
In addition to traditions and festive symbols, the gala also presented performances marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Singer Zhou Shen and the Sichuan Symphony Orchestra performed “Return,” the theme song of the Chinese historical drama series “The Long Way Back.” The TV series was produced to mark the anniversary, and the song’s lyrics, written in Chinese and Russian, depict the touching images of soldiers staying true to their beliefs and striving for victory under extremely tough conditions.
The gala also presented three classic songs carrying the memory of the Anti-Fascist War, namely “Flowers in May,” “As Time Goes By,” and “La Vie en Rose.” Born respectively in China, the United States, and France, the songs demonstrate the pursuit of happiness by people in different countries amid war and convey their common aspiration for peace and a bright future. These performances not only evoked shared memories of hardship and resilience, but also reaffirmed a universal longing for peace.
The gala is broadcast simultaneously across CMG’s television and digital platforms and carried overseas to viewers in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. The global broadcast turned the gala into a cultural dialogue under the full moon, reinforcing the Mid-Autumn Festival’s timeless message of reunion and harmony.
