Places are “rapidly filling up” as the Dragon Boat Festival returns to Salford Quays this June.

The festival, also known as the Duan Wu Festival, is held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese calendar and this year will take place on June 8 and 9.

The first UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival was introduced by the Xinhua Chinese Association at the Salford Water Sports Centre in 2012.

The XCA has been developing the event to create a multicultural and inclusive society as well as promoting friendships between the UK and China.

Councillor Donna Ludford previously attended the event and said: “It was great to attend the Dragon Boat Festival and Salford Quays, what an amazing event. Thanks to all the volunteers and organisers.”

The first day of the event will consist of the opening ceremony with 38 to 48 amateur racing teams competing for the championship.

On the second day of the event, the professional dragon boat club competitions take place. This includes professional teams from China and other countries and regions in the world.

Each boat team will consist of ten paddlers, one drummer and one steersman assigned by the event organiser.

The drummer will lead the paddlers with rhythmic music to synchronise with paddlers’ stroke. It is also considered the “heartbeat” of the dragon boat.


[Credit: https://twitter.com/CDBF_UK/status/1664319160879292416/video/1]

Across the two days, there will be cultural performances such as dragon and lion dance, Southeast Asian Chinese song and dance, British song and dance, Morris dance, Irish dance and calligraphy with hands-on practice of ‘your name in Chinese.’

The event supports the charity ‘Action for Children’ and 10% of the team entrance fee will be donated to the charity. Action for Children charity help children live happy and safe childhood.

Registration is now open. Visit: https://www.dragonboatfestival.uk for more info.

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