Hangzhou - How does the atmosphere of the Asian Games transform when it converges with the time-honored traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival? For many in China, the overlapping of these events has added a layer of entertainment to their holiday celebrations. But what about the athletes and other participants engrossed in the Games?
For Yu Biwen, a Chinese technical official at the Hangzhou Asian Games, this Mid-Autumn Festival was unlike any other. Being committed to her role, she couldn't join her family for the traditional celebrations and worked late into the night at the competition venue. Nonetheless, Mrs. Yu embraced the situation, expressing her pride and honor in being part of the Asian Games, an opportunity she considers a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Meanwhile, the festival provided a unique cultural immersion for foreign athletes and media professionals. Inside the Asian Games Villages, the festivities brought a flurry of activities that facilitated cultural exchanges and helped spread the richness of Chinese traditional culture.