Phá cỗ Trung thu - Niềm hạnh phúc của trẻ thơ | VTV24

Key Concepts

• Tết Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival): A traditional Vietnamese festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month.
• Mâm Cỗ Trung Thu: A tray of offerings displayed during Tết Trung Thu, symbolizing abundance and family reunion.
• Bánh Trung Thu (Mooncakes): Traditional cakes eaten during Tết Trung Thu, available in two main types: bánh nướng (baked mooncake) and bánh dẻo (sticky rice mooncake).
• Đèn Ông Sao (Star Lantern): A traditional star-shaped lantern carried by children during Tết Trung Thu.
• Đèn Kéo Quân (Rotating Lantern): A lantern with paper cutouts that rotate when the candle inside is lit.
• Nghệ Nhân (Artisan): A skilled craftsperson, particularly in the context of traditional crafts related to Tết Trung Thu.
• Khuôn Bánh Trung Thu (Mooncake Mold): A wooden mold used to shape mooncakes.
• Rượu Mai Quế Lộ (Mui Kwai Loo): A Chinese liqueur flavored with rose and spices, used in making mooncakes.

Mâm Cỗ Trung Thu: Traditions and Essential Elements

The video discusses the essential elements of a traditional mâm cỗ trung thu, highlighting its diversity and symbolism of family togetherness.

• Essential Items: The hosts and guests list essential items, including bánh trung thu (mooncakes), đèn ông sao (star lanterns), a pomelo dog (chó bông), a lion dance head (đầu lân), fruits like persimmons (quả hồng), cốm (young rice flakes), bananas (chuối), oranges (cam), and a small drum (trống đất).
• Symbolism: The mâm cỗ represents the family's prosperity and warmth.

The Significance of Tết Trung Thu

The video emphasizes the cultural importance of Tết Trung Thu and its traditions.

• Timing: Tết Trung Thu occurs on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month when the moon is at its fullest.
• Activities: Families gather to admire the moon, display a mâm cỗ, and children play with lanterns.
• Fruits and Decorations: The mâm cỗ includes various fruits available at the time, such as pomelos, oranges, and custard apples. A pomelo dog, crafted from the fruit, is a common decoration.
• Traditional Toys: Traditional toys, often handmade, are essential for preserving cultural heritage.

Traditional Lanterns

The video highlights the different types of lanterns associated with Tết Trung Thu.

• Types of Lanterns: The children in the video name đèn ông sao (star lantern) and đèn ông sư (monk lantern).
• Đèn Kéo Quân: The video emphasizes the đèn kéo quân (rotating lantern) as a particularly special lantern, recalling the song "Năm Xưa Rằm Tháng Tám Mẹ Thắp Đèn Kéo Quân" (Years Ago on the Full Moon of August, Mother Lit the Rotating Lantern).

The Value of Preserving Traditions

The video underscores the importance of preserving and reviving traditional aspects of Tết Trung Thu.

• Handmade Toys: The video emphasizes that traditional toys, though simple, represent the essence of Vietnamese culture passed down through generations.
• Community: The video notes that even in modern apartment buildings, communities organize Tết Trung Thu celebrations, preserving the spirit of neighborhood connection.

Interview with a Mooncake Mold Artisan

The video features an interview with an artisan who has been making mooncake molds for 70 years.

• Family Tradition: The artisan's family has been in the craft for three generations, starting in 1950.
• Wood Selection: The artisan uses gỗ xà cừ (mahogany) and gỗ thị (ebony) because they are durable and resistant to wear.
• Crafting Process: The process involves shaping the wood and then carving the design, which requires skill and a clear mental image of the desired pattern.
• Symbolism of Designs: The artisan explains the symbolism of different mold designs, such as the carp transforming into a dragon (representing aspiration) and the five-petal flower (representing the five senses).
• Eating Mooncakes with Tea: The artisan emphasizes the tradition of enjoying mooncakes with tea to fully appreciate their flavors.

Mooncake Making Demonstration with Chef Lưu Huỳnh Châu

The video includes a demonstration by chef Lưu Huỳnh Châu on making mooncakes.

• Traditional Ingredients: The chef highlights the use of traditional ingredients like lotus seed paste, mixed nuts, and mung bean paste.
• Types of Dough: The chef explains the difference between the dough used for bánh nướng (baked mooncakes) and bánh dẻo (sticky rice mooncakes), using wheat flour and glutinous rice flour, respectively.
• Rượu Mai Quế Lộ: The chef mentions the use of rượu mai quế lộ (mui kwai loo) in the mooncake crust.
• Baking Process: The chef explains that mooncakes are typically baked at 180-200 degrees Celsius to achieve the desired color and shape. Traditional methods involved using wood-fired ovens with heated stones.
• Mooncake Assembly: The chef demonstrates how to wrap the filling with the dough, press it into a mold, and release the shaped mooncake.

Conclusion

The video concludes by emphasizing the importance of preserving the traditions of Tết Trung Thu and celebrating the artisans who contribute to its cultural richness. It thanks Kinh Đô for supporting the program and its mission to preserve Vietnamese cultural heritage. The hosts wish viewers a joyful and warm Tết Trung Thu with their families.