This is a morning at the gourmet center near Sydney Chinatown.
Sitting in the corner was Annie,. She was looking at her phone with headphones on.
Annie is one of the five hundred thousand international students who have continued their studies in Australia.
She said excitedly, "I just called my mother before I saw you, because it`s my birthday." She wished me a happy birthday and asked me how to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival this year. "
The Mid-Autumn Festival in China is August 15 of the lunar calendar and this year is on September 24.
Zhao Xiaowan, a senior lecturer at the University of Sydney, said: "you can see the brightest moonlight on this day. He specializes in classical Chinese literature, mythology and folk tales.
"the ancient Chinese thought," Why was the moon so bright that day? There must be something special. "
Mid-Autumn Festival is an important time for family reunion in history, and it is now.
The moon`s circle symbolizes integrity, which is achieved with family.
Dr Zhao said: "people who don`t live together will bless each other."
China, Hong Kong and Taiwan make special traffic arrangements each year to ease congestion during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Last year, traveling in China became a nightmare because the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day met.
On the first day of the festival, the highway connecting the major cities in China was badly blocked.
It is understood that half of China`s people travel at this time.
Annie spent the Mid-Autumn Festival with his parents in his hometown of Shandong Province in the past year.
But now her short college holidays and part-time jobs mean she can`t return home.
"I really want to go back to China, but I don`t have time," she said.
Annie has no family in Australia, but that doesn`t mean she`ll stay at home.
Last weekend she went to one of the events in Sydney, along with many other immigrants and students who could not return home.
She said: "this day we really miss home. You can see pictures from friends in moments who celebrate the festival with their parents. "
Annie grew up in the family planning era, a 37-year rule in China that ended in 2016.
"these Chinese students are only children at home and are extremely precious to their parents," Zhao said.
Annie doesn`t want her parents to worry even if she`s in trouble or homesick.
When the Mid-Autumn Festival came, she also did not want to separate the two places and affect the festive atmosphere.
"[I`ll tell them] I hope they have a happy holiday and don`t feel lonely because I`m not around," she said.
Dr. Zhao also said that many Chinese students will feel lonely during the festival.
"if they have nothing to feel at home or do not work together, they will feel lonely," he said.
At the University of Sydney, the China Research Center and Chinese organisations hold annual events. This holiday is very important for the Chinese students who stay here. "
While social media platforms add to the sense of distance, Dr Zhao says they also offer solutions.
"students will definitely have video calls with their parents," he said. This is a sad situation (separation of places). "
Even if the people in love separate the two places, but the moon still symbolizes a bridge.
Dr Zhao said: "wherever you are, you are looking at the same moon. This has a deep meaning in Chinese culture. Other festivals are usually lively and busy, but they are very touching and poetic. "
Traffic situation in Beijing the night before the Mid-Autumn Festival two-day holiday
Annie
