Festival of 1,000 Lanterns to Illuminate HELP University in Mid-Autumn Celebration

Shah Alam, Saturday, 4 October 2025— The Malaysian Public Library, Research and Development Centre (MPLRDC), in partnership with HELP University, is proud to host a grand Festival of 1,000 Lanterns – Mid-Autumn Celebration. This evening of culture, light, and community will feature captivating performances, interactive traditional activities, and a magical lantern procession that brings together children, families, and neighbours in a shared expression of heritage and joy. This is the third Mid-Autumn Festival organised by the MPLRDC in HELP University’s Subang 2 campus.

Y.B. Tuan Muhammad Izuan Bin Ahmad Kasim from Pusat Khidmat Masyarakat DUN Kota Damansara, PJ, Selangor is the guest of honour at the Mid-Autumn Celebrations.

The Festival will include highlights such as the Dragon Dance, the 24 Festive Drum Performance by SMJK Chung Hwa Klang, the Seafield School Band, cultural song presentations, an erhu performance, lantern-making and riddle-guessing competitions, culminating in a procession of 1,000 lanterns. A buffet dinner will also be served as part of the evening’s festivities.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, with a history of over 1,000 years, is one of China’s most beloved cultural traditions. It is a time for family reunion, thanksgiving, and reflection. The full moon, round and bright, symbolises harmony and completeness, while the sharing of mooncakes represents unity, good fortune, and togetherness.

The festival is also steeped in folklore, including the legend of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess, who is said to live on the moon with the Jade Rabbit. These stories, passed down through generations, continue to inspire wonder and keep cultural heritage alive for both young and old.

Lanterns are another central symbol of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Each lantern represents hope and warmth, and when joined together, they create a magnificent vision of unity and light. The procession of 1,000 lanterns will embody this spirit of togetherness.

This year’s Festival carries a special meaning, as it extends joy to underprivileged children from BRDB-Rotary Children’s Residence, Rumah Kasih Harmoni Paya Jaras, and Al-Aliyah International School (AIS) who will join the celebration. Their participation reflects the Festival’s deeper purpose — to share light, warmth, and inclusion with those who need it most. Lanterns will be sold at the event to raise money for the children’s homes, as well as for the Malaysian Public Library Research and Development Centre.

In her welcome address, Datin Chan Kam Yoke, Chairman of the Malaysian Public Library Research and Development Centre, says: “The Festival of 1,000 Lanterns is more than a celebration – it is a reflection of our community’s spirit. Just as each lantern shines brightly on its own, when they come together they create something truly spectacular. Tonight, we celebrate not just culture and tradition, but also unity, joy, and the importance of reaching out to one another. Festivals shine brightest when everyone is included.”