Lion dances, moon cakes, a children’s lantern parade and tabletop diplomacy were some of the highlights of the Autumn Moon Festival at Brooklyn Bridge Park on Saturday, hosted by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and attended by numerous Chinese dignitaries.
The Better Chinatown USA, which organized the event, called the celebration “the largest pan-Asian event on the East Coast.” Adams said that Brooklyn is home to the biggest Chinese population in New York City.
As part of the festivities, Adams – aided by numerous Chinese officials and heads of cultural organizations — swung a meat cleaver into a whole roasted pig for the ceremonial first chop.
Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna, who bid “Nǐ hǎo” to the crowd, said Brooklyn is working with the Sino-American Friendship Association to improve our relationship with China in America and overseas.
The event coincided with the visit to Washington by China’s President Xi Jinping, called historic by Chinese Deputy Consul General Cheng Lei.
Mr. Cheng said that China and the U.S. are building a “strategic partnership.” The visit by Mr. Xi will “help build a new type of relationship,” he added.
Brooklyn did its best to move the meeting of minds forward. The crowd received an update on an archway which will be welcoming visitors to the Chinese community in Sunset Park. The Friendship Archway, a gift from Beijing’s Chaoyang District to Brooklyn, will be installed on Eighth Avenue between 64th and 65th streets.
Adams presented numerous citations to Chinese organizations, and several official agreements were signed for educational exchange programs between China and the U.S.
The day was filled with spectacle: with traditional dance by the beautifully-garbed ladies of the New York Chinese Qipao Association, a high-spirited Waist Drum Dance, a lion dancing and drumming show, and a parade of hundreds of tots and youth swinging hand-painted lanterns.
Two adorable youngsters sang the American national anthem; emcee Sunny Sun performed the Chinese national anthem, and members of the audience waved flags from both China and the U.S.
