On June 15 local time, "the 3rd International Dragon-Boat Festival" was grandly held in the city of Remich, on the banks of the Moselle River. As an annual flagship event for cultural exchange between China and Luxembourg, this year’s festival was co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Luxembourg, the China Cultural Centre in Luxembourg, the City of Remich, the Municipality of Schengen, the Municipality of Mondorf-les-Bains, the Town of Perl, the Sinolux Schengen Culture Communication Asbl and the Euro-Asie Travel Agency. It served not only as a major cultural celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival, but also as a vivid demonstration of people-to-people connectivity and civilizational dialogue between China and Luxembourg.
This year’s event, themed "Rowing Together for Shared Future," integrated sports competition, cultural exchange, and the promotion of finance and tourism. It attracted enthusiastic participation from numerous institutions, companies, art troupes, and audience members from Luxembourg, China, and neighboring countries. The atmosphere on site was vibrant and festive, receiving highly positive feedback. According to statistics, the event drew over 4,000 participants, filling the banks of the Moselle River with excitement and energy.
Several authoritative media outlets, including the Brussels Bureau of Xinhua News Agency and the EU Bureau of People’s Daily, provided coverage of the event.
China and Luxembourg Jointly Launch Cultural Festival
The opening ceremony officially took place at 10 a.m. that morning, attended by China’s Ambassador to Luxembourg, Hua Ning; Luxembourg’s Minister of the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles; and Mayor of Remich, Jacques Sitz, all of whom delivered speeches.
Following the speeches, Ambassador Hua Ning and Minister Lex Delles jointly presided over the solemn eye-dotting ceremony for the dragon boats. Using a red brush to dot the eyes symbolizes favorable weather and a successful event. The dignified traditional ritual was met with warm applause, elevating the festive atmosphere to a new height.
Gliding Boats, Flowing Melodies, and Cultural Connections
On the day of the event, 15 international dragon boat teams representing various institutions competed fiercely on the Moselle River. After several rounds including heats, repechage, semifinals, and the final, the Bank of China (Luxembourg) Branch claimed the championship title, with Cargolux and the Confucius Institute at the University of Luxembourg taking second and third place respectively. The rhythmic splashes of paddles on the water and the cheers from the riverbanks vividly embodied the spirit of “rowing together in the same boat” and the unifying power of cross-cultural collaboration.
As an integral part of the event, the cultural experience area—meticulously curated by the China Cultural Center in Luxembourg—was bustling with visitors and vibrant with activity. The folk orchestra from the China Conservatory of Music captivated the audience with elegant performances on traditional instruments such as the pipa, guzheng, dizi, and various percussion instruments, delivering graceful and melodious Chinese musical pieces. The interplay between classical melodies and the rhythmic beat of the dragon boat drums created a dynamic contrast, enriching the cultural depth of the festival and offering spectators an immersive experience of the unique charm of traditional Chinese art.
Yunnan’s Living Heritage Shines in "Tea for Harmony" Exhibition
One of the highlights of this year’s Dragon Boat Festival was the “Tea for Harmony” cultural experience zone, jointly curated by the China Cultural Centre in Luxembourg and the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. The zone offered a comprehensive showcase of the unique charm of ethnic traditions and intangible cultural heritage from Southwest China. Centered on Yunnan, the exhibition featured a multidimensional presentation of minority cultures—ranging from tea culture and traditional costumes to cultural and creative products and tourism promotion—highlighting the rich and diverse cultural landscape of the region.
Ambassador Hua Ning and Counselor Wang Yuan appeared in the exhibition area alongside volunteers, all dressed in traditional ethnic attire from Yunnan. Together, they guided visitors through an immersive experience of “Kung Fu Tea” techniques and hospitality rituals, while inviting them to sample renowned Yunnan highland teas such as Dianhong, Pu’er, and white tea—bringing the local public closer to Chinese culture through hands-on engagement. The exhibition also featured a special tasting area for Yunnan-style tea snacks, where delicacies like flower cakes and pea flour desserts proved especially popular, offering guests a flavorful glimpse into the rich culinary heritage of the region.
Linking Finance and Culture-Tourism Showcases New Strengths of Chinese Investment
The Dragon Boat Festival also featured a “Finance and Industry Exhibition Area,” bringing together numerous Chinese-funded financial and cultural-tourism enterprises with headquarters or branches in Luxembourg. Centered around themes such as cross-border payments, RMB services, green finance, and the integration of finance and cultural tourism, the exhibition showcased the innovation and openness of Chinese companies in the European market through display panels, interactive prize draws, and on-site consultations. The event highlighted the commitment and confidence of Chinese institutions in promoting intercultural dialogue and empowering the development of cultural tourism.
Bridging Civilizations, Shaping New Cooperation
The International Dragon-Boat Festival is not only a vibrant celebration of a traditional festival but also a grand event that transcends language and culture, vividly showcasing the promising vision of China and Luxembourg working hand in hand to promote cultural exchange. The spirit of unity and cooperation embodied in the dragon boat races harmonizes with cultural elements such as music, tea art, ethnic costumes, and intangible cultural heritage techniques. This not only enriches the cultural life of the local community but also creates a warm current along the Moselle River that crosses borders and connects hearts.
Through the joint celebration of traditions and sharing of cultures, the understanding and friendship between the people of China and Luxembourg continue to deepen, strengthening the bridge of cultural exchange. Looking ahead, the Dragon Boat Festival will remain an important platform for China-Luxembourg cultural dialogue and mutual learning, promoting harmonious cooperation between the two peoples. It will inject a continuous cultural momentum into building a more open, inclusive, and mutually trusted international community for shared success.
Photo credits: Zhang Min and Zhou Ti