Over 50 compatriots of Taiwan came to Jinjiang in East China's Fujian province to celebrate the First Cross-Straits Dragon Boat Festival on June 20.
Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu, is a traditional holiday originating in China to commemorate the Chinese poet, Qu Yuan. It occurs on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar. On the day, people eat zongzi (rice dumplings), drink realgar wine, and hold dragon boat races.
"It makes sense to bless, experience traditional culture and worship Qu Yuan together for the people of both sides," said Xu Shuishu, president of the Chinese Culture Promotion Society of Taiwan.
Jinjiang lies opposite to Taiwan, which sits in the East China Sea to the south, and both places have the tradition to celebrate Dragon Boat Festival. Taiwan celebrates in a simplistic and civilian way, while Jinjiang celebrates in more of a traditional and original way.
Lin Yongda, chairman of the Jinjiang Traditional Culture Promoting Association, said that Dragon Boat Festival is not only a ceremonial festivity; it is also the inheritance of the traditional culture. This year's First Cross-Straits Dragon Boat Festival was aimed at deepening participants' understanding of traditional etiquette and enhancing their sense of recognition and belonging within Chinese culture.
