Frankenthaler Stefan dares to jump into the dragon boat race in China!
Frankenthaler Stefan dares to jump into the dragon boat race in China!
Fuzhou, China - Stefan Schreiner, a 43-year-old Frankenthaler, took part in the traditional dragon boat race in Fuzhou, China. As a bloody beginner, he faced the challenge and, as a European, was one of the exotic among the participants with his colleagues. His motivation for participation was clear: he wanted to have fun and collect new impressions. This mix of sport and cultural exchange made it an unforgettable experience that opened deeper insights into Chinese culture.
The dragon boat race took place in the context of the dragon boat festival (端午节, duānwǔ jié), one of the four most important traditional Chinese festivals. It has been celebrated for over 2000 years and falls on the fifth day of the fifth moon month, which normally corresponds to the Gregorian calendar at the end of May or June. In 2025 the festival was celebrated on May 31, and the celebrations lasted until June 1, on which day many Chinese went on vacation. Travel destinations are often overcrowded on these days because numerous people travel to the celebrations.
traditions and customs
During the dragon boat festival, dragon boat races are a central attraction. The physical requirements for the teams are high because dragon boats are between 20 and 35 meters long and need a crew of 30 to 60 paddlers. In addition, traditional customs such as the food of Zongzi, an adhesive rice dish, as well as the drinking of realgar wine, which is supposed to sell diseases, play an important role in the starting point.The origins of the dragon boat festival are closely connected to the legend of Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet who around 278 BC. drowned in the Miluo River. The dragon boat races take place in his honor, in which the participants not only fight for victory, but also celebrate the memory of Qu Yuan with respect. In many Asian countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Taiwan, the festival is celebrated as a BAK-Chang festival and thus reflects the cultural diversity of this tradition.
Participation in a dragon boat race not only offers sporting challenges, but also an opportunity to overcome cultural borders and to close new friendships. For Stefan Schreiner, this exchange was an integral part of his experience, which made the dragon boat festival an important event in his life. As the celebrations showed, dragon boat races are not only a sporting event, but also a celebration of the community and cultural identity.
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| Ort | Fuzhou, China |
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