SHOPPING malls and a few complexes in Penang have been decorated with colourful hanging lanterns in recent weeks as they prepare to usher in the Mid-Autumn Festival tomorrow.
The bright atmosphere helps lift the gloom cast by Covid-19 in some ways while the country is still under the recovery movement control order (RMCO).
Checks by Buletin Mutiara at several locations in Penang island showed that they are keeping the spirit of the festival alive.
At Gurney Paragon Mall, shopgoers were seen buying the traditional mooncakes at stalls located at the atrium while other patrons took the opportunity to take photos of themselves with the brightly-lit lanterns decor.
Over at Gurney Plaza, an air of festivity could also be felt at one of the entrances where stalls selling mooncakes were decorated with beautiful lanterns.
At the New World Park in Burma Road, many types of decorated lanterns were hanging at the premises to liven up the atmosphere at the hawker centre.
Not to be missed was the entrance to Prangin Mall, which was lit up with lanterns of various shapes and sizes.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Mooncake Festival, is a traditional event celebrated by the Chinese community.
It is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, during which time a full moon at its brightest is likely to be sighted at night.
It has a history of over 3,000 years. In the past, it was celebrated during harvest time. For ancient Chinese emperors, they worshipped the moon in autumn to thank it for the harvest.
But nowadays, many mainly celebrate it as a family reunion. During the festival, mooncakes, a traditional Chinese pastry typically filled with sweet bean or lotus seed paste, are a must have.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian & Edmund Lee