ALTHOUGH the Mid-Autumn Festival is still over a month away, the festive spirit is already in full swing.
Various outlets have begun showcasing mooncakes and lanterns in anticipation of the vibrant celebration.
A standout is Tai Tong Restaurant on Cintra Street, where the atmosphere has been transformed into a dazzling spectacle.
The restaurant’s ceiling is adorned with over 4,000 lanterns, creating a mesmerising canopy of colour. These intricately designed lanterns fill the space with a joyful and enchanting ambience, enhancing the dining experience and inviting patrons to immerse themselves in the festive cheer.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Mooncake Festival, is a popular Chinese tradition celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth Lunar month. This year, it falls on Sept 17.
Restaurant manager Lee Hui Ling, 34, shared that the lanterns began adorning the restaurant on the 2nd day of the seventh Lunar month (Aug 5).
“Business has been promising, even though the Mid-Autumn Festival is still over a month away,” Lee noted.
She explained that the lanterns were sourced from Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh.
“Our stock has dwindled over the years as fewer younger people are entering the trade, which has led to a slight increase in prices,” she added.
Despite the increase, Lee emphasised that the lanterns remain affordable, ranging from RM14 to RM48, depending on their type and size.
“We offer a variety of lanterns, including traditional, oriental, modern, and even battery-operated options. Customers are welcome to explore our selection right up until after the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
In addition to lanterns, the restaurant has collaborated with Leong Yin Pastry to offer mooncakes.
“Since the middle of the sixth Lunar month (July 20) we began selling mooncakes, and sales have been good,” Lee said in an interview today.
Septuagenarian Kok Khee Piow was captivated by the vibrant array of lanterns at the restaurant. The sight of the colourful display transported him back to his youth.
Kok, 75, reminisced about the days when he would craft his own lanterns.
“Back when I was a student, making lanterns was a cherished activity.
“I enjoyed every step of the process – from gathering materials like glue, thin wire, coloured paper, and paint to shaping the wire into the desired form and assembling the lanterns.
“It was a joyful and creative experience. Children nowadays are very fortunate,” he said, his eyes reflecting the nostalgia of those simpler times. He bought two lanterns for his grandchildren.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Alissala Thian