A nighttime dragon boat race is held to celebrate the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival in Sanxi Village of Changle District, Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
FUZHOU, June 23 (Xinhua) --The Dragon Boat Festival, also called the Duanwu Festival, is traditionally celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. This traditional Chinese festival, which falls on June 22 this year, has a history of over 2,000 years and is celebrated across China and around the world. People usually race dragon boats and eat Zongzi, a sticky rice dumpling wrapped up with bamboo or reed leaves during the festival.
The nighttime dragon boat race, native to Sanxi Village, is a tradition with a history spanning over 600 years. Around the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, the villagers of Sanxi eagerly participate in this race as night falls. The event carries deep cultural significance and serves as a means of prayer for bountiful harvests and auspicious life.
This aerial photo taken on June 18, 2023 shows a nighttime dragon boat race held to celebrate the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival in Sanxi Village of Changle District, Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
This aerial photo taken on June 18, 2023 shows a nighttime dragon boat race held to celebrate the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival in Sanxi Village of Changle District, Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
This aerial photo taken on June 18, 2023 shows a nighttime dragon boat race held to celebrate the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival in Sanxi Village of Changle District, Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
This aerial photo taken on June 18, 2023 shows a nighttime dragon boat race held to celebrate the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival in Sanxi Village of Changle District, Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
As night falls, the sound of gongs and drums reverberates along the river channel in Sanxi with constant cheers from the crowd erupting in the area. Participants paddle vigorously to race on the water in celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival and enjoy the vitality of competitions.
A nighttime dragon boat race is held to celebrate the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival in Sanxi Village of Changle District, Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
A nighttime dragon boat race is held to celebrate the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival in Sanxi Village of Changle District, Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
A nighttime dragon boat race is held to celebrate the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival in Sanxi Village of Changle District, Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
A nighttime dragon boat race is held to celebrate the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival in Sanxi Village of Changle District, Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, June 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
Nowadays, the dragon boat race not only serves as the tradition of a Chinese holiday but the mediator of cross-cultural communication between China and other countries.
Bangs first became involved with the sport as a paddler in 1988 when he went to China's Fujian Province to compete in an international dragon boat race.
"This trip really opened my eyes to the wonders of dragon boat racing and I have been totally committed ever since, wanting to make our boats go even faster than the Chinese," Bangs said.
When Bangs returned from his "inspirational trip to China," he founded the Amathus Dragon Boat Club.
David Bangs poses for a photo with a flag of Amathus Dragon Boat Club during 2023 UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival in Salford, Britain, on June 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
"Dragon boating is all about working together for your friends and putting your heart and soul into a race. ... You win or lose together. You share that camaraderie together. That's what dragon boat racing to me is all about," Bangs said to Xinhua.
David Bangs (1st R) talks to trainees during a dragon boat training in Liverpool, Britain, on June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
David Bangs (1st L) trains with trainees of Amathus Dragon Boat Club in Liverpool, Britain, on June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
The same passion for dragon boating brings different people together to the Amathus Dragon Boat Club and offers them with pleasure and thrill of the races.
Trainees of Amathus Dragon Boat Club train in Liverpool, Britain, on June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Trainees of Amathus Dragon Boat Club train in Liverpool, Britain, on June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Trainees of Amathus Dragon Boat Club train in Liverpool, Britain, on June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
This year, David Bangs and team members of Amathus Dragon Boat Club participated in a professional competition at Salford Quays in Greater Manchester. This competition was part of the 2023 UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, an annual event that has gained popularity in the country.
David Bangs (C) and team members of Amathus Dragon Boat Club compete during 2023 UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival in Salford, Britain, on June 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Team members of Amathus Dragon Boat Club compete during 2023 UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival in Salford, Britain, on June 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
This aerial photo taken on June 18, 2023 shows team members of Amathus Dragon Boat Club competing during 2023 UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival in Salford, Britain. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
David Bangs (C) and his teammates of Amathus Dragon Boat Club compete during 2023 UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival in Salford, Britain, on June 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
David Bangs (R) shakes hands with a visually impaired team member of Amathus Dragon Boat Club after finishing the competition of 2023 UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival in Salford, Britain, on June 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Planners: Wang Jianhua, Gu Zhenqiu, Xiang Kailai
Coordinators: Wu Wei, Wang Qingqin
Photographers: Jiang Kehong, Li Ying
Visual designer: Zhou Jiayi
Editors: Sun Ruibo, Zhou Jiayi, Zou Yu, Yang Guang, Qi Xiaoyi, Liu Lihang
English editors: Liu Yun, Lyu You, Sui Shangjun■
