"This is a joyful moment that brings people together and helps them reach consensus" - Swiss Eglissau Dragon Boat Race Sight International | Dragon Boat | Eglissau Dragon Boat Race
"This is a joyful moment that brings people together and helps them reach consensus," according to Xinhua News Agency's Eglissau Dragon Boat Race in Switzerland on June 25th
Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Qibing and Chen Junxia
On the surface of the Rhine River, there are shimmering blue waves, the sound of paddles and figures, and dragon boat races. On June 24th and 25th, 80 racing teams and 1680 athletes participated in the 31st Eglissau International Dragon Boat Race held in Eglissau, Zurich, Switzerland.
On the dragon boat race, the drummer beats the drum at the bow of the boat, and the leading oarsman steers at the stern. The 20 oarsmen sitting in the dragon boat move in unison, working together and moving forward with all their might.
By the Rhine River, the band cheered up. In order to watch the dragon boat race, nearby residents and tourists gathered in Eglisho.
"When the city council approved the organization of the first dragon boat race, the organizers had no experience yet. Now, the Dragon Boat Festival has more organizational experience, competition teams, and dragon boat clubs," said Felix Mayer, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 31st Eglisho International Dragon Boat Race at the event site.
Mayer said that dragon boat racing holds a special position in Chinese culture, symbolizing teamwork and the pursuit of excellence. "This is a joyful moment that brings people together and helps them reach consensus."
Mayer stated that praising the dragon is a common tradition between Switzerland and China, which not only strengthens the connection between the two countries, but also provides an opportunity for cultural dialogue, allowing us to embrace each other's differences and recognize the common values that unite us. "Let us cherish this moment and work together to build a world that embraces diversity and promotes mutual respect."
Chen Yun, the Consul General of China in Zurich who was invited to attend the Dragon Boat Race, also brought the traditional Chinese food Zongzi to the scene of the Dragon Boat Race. She said: "The Dragon Boat Festival is an ancient and important traditional festival of the Chinese nation, and dragon boat racing is one of the most important folk activities of the Dragon Boat Festival. Eating Zongzi is an essential part of the Dragon Boat Festival, so we specially bring some Zongzi made by ourselves for everyone to taste."
Chen Yun said that the Eglissau International Dragon Boat Race allows many Swiss friends to experience the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture firsthand in the joy of competition. It once again demonstrates that culture knows no borders, friendship transcends races, and the trend of cultural exchange and mutual learning is deeply ingrained in people's hearts.
Thomas Nedman, Chairman of the Eglisho Dragon Boat Club, told Xinhua News Agency that the Eglisho Dragon Boat Race is now one of the largest dragon boat races in Europe and has become a popular local celebration event in Zurich.
In 2017, China sent its first dragon boat team to participate in the Eglisho International Dragon Boat Race. The Dragon Team, organized by overseas Chinese in Zurich, Switzerland, participated in the 31st competition, initiated by the Schaffhausen Chinese Association. The chairman of the association, Jia Kejie, told reporters that he hopes to use this event to showcase the image of overseas Chinese actively integrating into local social and cultural life.