Local people in Luxembourg were given a splash of Chinese culture as a series of traditional dragon boat races were held along the Moselle River in the Remich commune on Sunday, drawing a number of teams and visitors from several countries to join in the festivities.
The event came ahead of the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday to commemorate the ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan. Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, the festival will this year fall on June 19.
The fourth Luxembourg International Dragon Boat Festival saw a bumper entry of 17 teams from different countries competing in the races, attracting tens of thousands of spectators from Luxembourg and neighboring countries.
Aside from the racing on the river, the event also included more Chinese elements to keep attendees well entertained, including traditional music performances and vibrant dragon and lion dances which delighted the crowds.
Officials say the festival further demonstrates the strong ties which exist between Luxembourg and China.
"We have of course economic relationships, but beyond these economic relationships, it's important also to have cultural [and] sporting cooperation, and the dragon [boat] festival is a good occasion to underline this," said Leon Gloden, Luxembourg's Minister for Home Affairs.
Others taking part in the event pointed to the festive atmosphere and say that dragon boat racing embodies the spirit of teamwork.
"[It's] not about the individual, but about everybody else. I think that's the spirit that we try and carry forward and that's what the history and the tradition is all about. And we're happy to be part of it," said one participant.
Dragon boat race in Luxembourg offer spectators splash of Chinese culture
