Dragon boat-themed activities rolled out in Chinese kindergartens

Kindergartens in China held colorful dragon boat-related activities for children on Sunday, the International Children's Day which coincides with the second day of the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, to deepen their impression on traditional culture.

The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the traditional Chinese calendar to commemorate ancient Chinese patriotic poet Qu Yuan (about 340-278 BC). The festival falls on May 31 this year.

 In Shantou City of south China's Guangdong Province, a mini dragon boat race was organized by Xishe Kindergarten. Regardless of the drizzling weather, the young participants with an average age of five years old paddled with all their strength and the two mini dragon boats quickly headed towards the finish line.

""On the occasion of the Dragon Boat Festival, people eat rice dumplings and row dragon boats. I have seen adults row dragon boats before. They are very good. I like to row dragon boats now," said Du Yuqing, a participant in the kindergarten dragon boat race.

The Jida Kindergarten in Xiangzhou District of Guangdong's Zhuhai City held a simple indoor simulated dragon boat race using props such as scooters. While having a lot of fun from cheering and cooperation, the children also learnt more about the traditional festival.

"We are celebrating the festival to commemorate Qu Yuan," said a girl.

In a kindergarten in Changsha County of central China's Hunan Province, children made with their own hands vivid "land dragon boats" out of waste paper and plastic balls. Amid drumbeats, they used bamboo poles to push their small "dragon boats" forward.

"We've learned to work as a team, beat the drums together to encourage one another. It's okay to lose, as we will win it back next time. The most important thing is to have fun," said a boy at the kindergarten.

The activities are available not only to the children, but to their parents as well. The fathers were also fully engaged in the game, rushing forward together with the children, striving for victory.

Dragon boat-themed activities rolled out in Chinese kindergartens

More than 20 films will hit Chinese screens during the three-day Qingming Festival holiday from Saturday to Monday, spanning genres from revolutionary historical dramas, realism movies to suspense thrillers, according to the China Film Administration on Thursday.

Revolutionary historical films such as Blood-Spattered Cliff, Eight Sons, Eight Soldiers, and Half Of The Quilt, will pay tribute to martyrs through the lens.

Three films -- It's OK, Now I Met Her, and Sunshine Women's Choir -- tell moving stories of love, growth, and reconciliation.

It's OK is a contemporary family comedy that follows a mother and daughter navigating their joyful yet turbulent relationship. Now I Met Her tells a rebellious teenager who gets to know his late mother through her old diary. Sunshine Women's Choir, a film from the Taiwan region of China, portrays the "perfect" maternal love of "imperfect mothers."

The suspense film Game of Identity tells the story of two people from different backgrounds who accidentally swap lives, setting off an unexpected adventure. The documentary films Seeking Nature: The Code of Life, and Missions to the Moon (Part One) explore the connection between humanity and science.

Imported films from different countries, including The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2, Project Hail Mary, and Hoppers, will deliver spectacular cinematic experiences to audiences.

The Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, falls on April 5 this year. It is a traditional Chinese festival for honoring the deceased and paying tribute to ancestors. The holiday also provides a short break for Chinese citizens as they engage in outdoor activities and sightseeing.

Over 20 films expected to hit Chinese screens during Qingming Festival Holiday