On June 9th, as the Dragon Boat Festival approached, the promotional activities of the 2024 Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament visited the intangible cultural heritage dragon boat village in Liede Village. Friends from both China and abroad came together to visit the first women's dragon boat team, the Rose Dragon Boat Team, and the "Liede Drum" that appeared at the opening ceremony of the Guangzhou Asian Games, experiencing the unique charm of Liede's folk culture.
Located along the Pearl River, Liede Village has a history of over nine hundred years, tracing back to its founding during the Song Dynasty. It stands as one of the best-preserved ancient villages in the old eight districts of Guangzhou. In the 1960s, Liede Village broke the traditional belief that women should not participate in dragon boat races. In 1998, the first women's dragon boat team in Guangdong was established, and their boat was referred to as the "Phoenix Boat." In 2019, the women's dragon boat team upgraded to the "Rose Dragon Boat Team" and showcased their strength at the Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament, winning the first prize in the "Colorful Dragon Boat Competition."
In 2010, the "Liede Drum" took the stage at the opening ceremony of the Guangzhou Asian Games, becoming internationally renowned thereafter. Chen Huijun, the drummer of the Rose Dragon Boat Team, provided a detailed introduction to Liede's dragon boat culture and the story behind the "Liede Drum" to friends from China and abroad participating in the event. She also imparted drumming techniques to them.
Guided by the dragon boat team members, friends from both China and abroad embarked on the dragon boat together, experiencing the thrill of paddling through the waters of Liede, racing against each other, and feeling the charm of the dragon boat's unity and cooperation. They also drank dragon boat tea, ate dragon boat cakes, and made zongzi together.
Source | Yangcheng Evening News
