This Mid-Autumn Festival, a viral moment captured hearts worldwide as Bonnie, a 22-year-old student from Lyon, France, recited Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai’s ‘Thoughts on a Silent Night’ 🎑 – fluently switching between Chinese and French. Her performance, shared online during the festival’s full moon celebrations, highlights how traditional Chinese culture is resonating with Gen Z across borders.
‘I’ve loved Chinese poetry since university,’ Bonnie said in the video, explaining how the festival’s themes of family and connection inspired her. ‘The moon connects us all – whether you’re in Paris or Shanghai.’ 🌍
The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, sees families reunite to share mooncakes and admire the harvest moon. But this year, young global audiences are engaging through digital creativity like Bonnie’s bilingual tribute – blending centuries-old verses with modern multicultural flair.
Li Bai’s 8th-century poem, reflecting on moonlight and longing, gained fresh life through Bonnie’s interpretation. Social media users praised it as ‘poetry without borders’ 💬, with many sharing their own festival traditions from Vietnam to California.
