Every year, on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, people’s attention turns to rivers and lakes as the Dragon Boat Festival – Duanwu Jie – is celebrated.
For IGS Hefei, this was our very first Dragon Boat Festival. Our students, along with their parents, were invited to this special event. Guests entered the festival after a ritual washing, where their hands were poured over with floral water.
The sounds of classical Chinese instruments, played by musicians in traditional attire, filled the air. Long, lime-green fabric panels adorned with motifs from ancient tales and literary texts created an atmosphere of a different time. Some visitors took the opportunity to practice the art of calligraphy.
The exact origin of the Dragon Boat Festival is steeped in legend. The most famous and widely spread story revolves around Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet and minister of the State of Chu during the Warring States period (475-221 BC). Faced with the invasion of his homeland and the turmoil of his time, he drowned himself in desperation in the Miluo River.
Local fishermen rushed to save him in their boats. They beat drums and threw Zongzi (triangular, filled sticky rice dumplings) into the water to prevent fish and evil spirits from defiling his body.
The children listened to the story with great anticipation. At the end of the festival, all children received Zongzi with various fillings, prepared for everyone by the IGS restaurant team using classic recipes. Rose tea was also available for tasting.
Our youngest children in kindergarten particularly loved the five-colored good luck threads they were allowed to tie around their wrists. These, or small, skillfully crafted sachets filled with aromatic herbs, are said to protect against evil spirits and illnesses according to legend.
Young people need “roots and wings.” Knowledge of traditions and cultural encounters are essential aspects of this.
We thank all visitors and the organizers of our first Dragon Boat Festival for this fascinating insight into Chinese tradition and look forward to the next cultural highlight at IGS.
We wish you and your families a wonderful Dragon Boat Festival,
Your IGS