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Leeds University Celebrates the Dragon Boat Festival

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On Thursday 18 June, the Business Confucius Institute (BCI) at the University of Leeds welcomed students, staff, and members of the local community to a vibrant Dragon Boat Festival celebration in Maurice Keyworth SR1.32. The free event attracted around 40 attendees, bringing people together for an afternoon of storytelling, cultural discovery, traditional food, and friendly competition.

Led by BCI Chinese Teacher Zixuan Hao, the event offered a lively introduction to one of China's most cherished traditional festivals. As part of BCI's year-round programme of cultural activities, the celebration followed successful Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival events, continuing the Institute's mission of creating opportunities for people to experience Chinese culture in an interactive and welcoming environment.

The afternoon began with an exploration of the festival's rich history and traditions. Participants learned about the legendary poet and statesman Qu Yuan, whose patriotism and sacrifice are at the heart of the festival. To bring the story to life, the session opened with a dramatic performance recreating Qu Yuan's final moments before he threw himself into the river.

 

No Dragon Boat Festival celebration would be complete without zongzi – the traditional glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves. Guests learned about the origins of this iconic festival food, its connection to the legend of Qu Yuan, and the many regional varieties enjoyed throughout China.

The cultural experience continued with a tasting session, where attendees sampled authentic festival treats including ludougao (mung bean cake) and traditional Chinese tea.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was a lively chopstick challenge. Participants competed to remove ingredients that do not belong in zongzi using chopsticks, all without disturbing the surrounding rice. The game sparked plenty of laughter, concentration, and friendly rivalry, quickly becoming a crowd favourite.

To round off the event, guests put their newfound knowledge to the test in a Dragon Boat Festival quiz. Winners were rewarded with prizes, adding an extra element of excitement to the finale.

With around 40 people taking part, the Dragon Boat Festival celebration was a great success. Combining storytelling, performance, food, games, and cultural learning, the event provided a memorable exper

Inspired to learn more about Chinese language and culture?

The Business Confucius Institute offers Mandarin courses for students, staff, businesses, schools, and members of the public throughout the year. We also host a range of free cultural events, giving everyone the opportunity to experience and engage with Chinese traditions first-hand. Visit the BCI website to find out more about our Mandarin classes and upcoming events, and join our growing community of Chinese language and culture enthusiasts in Leeds.