Hundreds of spectators gathered at the Olympic Rowing Hall in Schinias, northeast of Athens, on Sunday to witness a vibrant spectacle: Greece’s first-ever dragon boat race.
The event, aptly titled “Dragon Boat Race – China-Greece Friendship Cup: The Silk Road Meets the Aegean Sea,” was a celebration of the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival and a powerful symbol of strengthening ties between China and Greece.
Seven teams competed in the race, five hailing from China and two from Greece. The event was organized by the Chinese Embassy in Greece and hosted by the historic city of Marathon.
Chinese Ambassador to Greece Fang Qiu underscored the significance of the race in his opening remarks, stating, “This event is another opportunity to deepen the cooperation and friendship between the peoples of China and Greece.”
Marathon Mayor Stergios Tsirkas echoed this sentiment, expressing his city’s pride in hosting such a groundbreaking event, calling it “an honor and a great joy for our city.”
Vasilis Polymeros, president of the Hellenic Rowing Federation and an Olympic champion, highlighted the cultural exchange. “I had the privilege of competing in China during the 2008 Olympic Games and experiencing the richness of Chinese culture firsthand. Today is a wonderful occasion that unites us,” he told Xinhua.
The Greek team, “Dragon of Friendship,” which included canoe-kayak athlete Alexandros Lymberopoulos, ultimately clinched the cup. Lymberopoulos reflected on the broader impact, remarking, “It is a beautiful experience to see this connection between Greece and China blossom. The energy here at the Olympic Rowing Hall is truly enthusiastic.”
The Dragon Boat Festival, or Duanwu Festival is a significant traditional Chinese holiday with a rich history spanning over 2,000 years. Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, it commemorates the life and death of Qu Yuan, an esteemed patriotic poet and minister from the ancient State of Chu during the Warring States period (475–221 BC).
Legend has it that after Qu Yuan was exiled and ultimately drowned himself in the Miluo River in despair over his state’s decline, local villagers raced out in boats to try and save him or recover his body, beating drums and splashing water with their paddles to ward off evil spirits and fish.
They also threw parcels of rice into the river to prevent fish from eating his body – a practice that evolved into the tradition of eating zongzi, sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, during the festival. The dragon boat races themselves are a reenactment of this search for Qu Yuan.
This inaugural dragon boat race serves as a powerful testament to the burgeoning Sino-Greek relations. Both nations, with their ancient civilizations and rich cultural heritage, have been actively fostering closer ties in recent years across various sectors, including trade, investment, tourism, and culture.
Initiatives like the “Belt and Road” are strengthening infrastructure and economic partnerships, while cultural exchanges, exemplified by events such as this dragon boat race, play a crucial role in building mutual understanding and goodwill between their peoples.
The “Silk Road Meets the Aegean Sea” theme of the event perfectly encapsulates this convergence of ancient historical connections with modern-day collaboration and friendship.
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