The spirit of teamwork and cross-cultural friendship surged across the waters of Ada Ciganlija Lake this weekend as the “Nihao China” China-Serbia Duanwu International Dragon Boat Festival officially opened, drawing together professional and amateur paddlers from across Europe for two days of competition and cultural celebration. Jointly organized by the Serbian Dragon Boat Federation and the China Cultural Center in Belgrade, the festival marks the second time that the traditional Chinese Duanwu Festival — widely known as the Dragon Boat Festival — has been held at this scenic lakeside venue.
Held under the regulations of the European Dragon Boat Federation (EDBF), the event features races in both standard and small boat categories. Professional dragon boat teams from China joined the roster for the first time, competing beside overseas Chinese teams and those made up of employees of Chinese companies operating in Serbia. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming called the event a strong indicator of the deepening relations between China and Serbia. With paddles in hand and dragon boats as our vessels, we create bridges of exchange and cooperation, said Ambassador Li. Li emphasized the Duanwu Festival’s 2,000-year history, recorded in 2009 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, with passion and perseverance, showing the unbreakable link between our two peoples.
Beyond the competitions, the festival featured a lively schedule of cultural events and heritage artist exhibitions from Quanzhou, China. He stressed how dragon boat racing reflects ideals of teamwork, resilience, and a common commitment to peace and development. All of these activities helped to create an immersive cultural experience: lion dancing, Wuzu martial arts, traditional string puppetry, and a range of classic Chinese food, including zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and sweet rice balls.
Li added, “We hope that through today’s event everyone will be inspired by the competitive spirit of dragon boat racing, immersed in the traditions of Chinese folklore, and captivated by the distinctive charm of Chinese culture.” Like the dragon boats surging through the rapids, may the friendship between the Chinese and Serbian peoples face difficulties head-on and move forward hand in hand. Popular urban lake Ada Ciganlija, sometimes known as “Belgrade’s Sea,” hosts international water sports events. Set against a 7.9-kilometer promenade and more than 60 restaurants and cafés, this vibrant celebration of sport and cultural exchange has the ideal backdrop. The China-Serbia Dragon Boat Festival still serves as a living bridge between East and West, celebrating shared values and mutual respect via custom, teamwork, and happy collaboration on the water in addition to being an exciting sporting event.
