KINGSTON, R.I. –- September 3, 2008 — The University of Rhode Island’s Confucius Institute will debut a Chinese Moon Festival Sunday, Sept. 14, the night of the fullest moon in 2008.

The festival will run from 6 to 8 p.m. in the University’s Memorial Union, 50 Lower College Road, Kingston. It features a Chinese buffet with 15 different meal choices, various fruits including Dragon eyes, moon cakes and other desserts. Members from the Boston-based American Chinese Art Society and the Boston Chamber Music Society will perform. The Rhode Island Association of Chinese Americans Kung Fu and Lion Dance Club will perform the lion dance.

“This event is a time to celebrate the Chinese Moon Festival, the equivalent of the American Thanksgiving, where families gather for reunions. Food that is served is generally round like the moon. Our festival also celebrates the first anniversary of URI’s Confucius Institute and welcomes students and faculty to URI, especially those students and faculty who come to the University for its Chinese programs,” says Yan Ma, professor of library and information studies, who directs the institute. “The Confucius Institute’s 11 programs will also be introduced.

URI President Robert L. Carothers will be recognized for his support with the institute’s first leadership award, which is named in the president’s honor. The Luke Foundation of Pawtucket, headed by Sunny Ng, will be presented the institute’s first international leadership award for its continuous and generous support.

Tickets are available in advance at the Confucius Institute located in the URI Library, 15 Lippitt Road, Kingston. Adult tickets are $30. Tickets are $10 for children and college students with a valid ID. Reservations can be made via confucius@uri.edu or 401-874-5746 before Sept. 12. Checks should be made payable to URI Foundation, noting the Confucius Institute, and sent to the Confucius Institute at URI, University Library, 15 Lippitt Road, Kingston, R.I. 02881. Tickets can also be purchased at PayPal: confucius@uri.edu. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. A word of caution: seating is limited.

The festival will kick off URI’s Diversity Week, which will begin on Sept. 22.

The evening was organized and sponsored by the Confucius Institute. Other sponsors include the URI President’s Office, College of Arts and Sciences, and Student Affairs.

Directions to the Memorial Union Ballroom can be found at http://www.uri.edu/confucius/moonfestival.html