The fourth edition of the Luxembourg International Dragon Boat Festival drew tens of thousands of spectators to the banks of the Moselle River in Remich on June 7. Among the most talked-about attractions were not only the races themselves, but also a set of cultural exhibits from China's Jiangsu province.
Since its launch in 2023, the festival has grown into one of the Grand Duchy's most recognized international cultural and sporting events.
This year's program, co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Luxembourg and the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, combined competitive rowing, a trendy cultural market, and interactive tech installations.
At the heart of the cultural offerings was the special market co-curated by the China Cultural Centre in Luxembourg and Jiangsu's tourism authority. It showcased Jiangsu's tea culture, creative merchandise, and hands-on workshops designed to introduce the Moselle-side crowd to the river cultures of the Yangtze and the Grand Canal.
The standout booth belonged to the Qinhu Lake Scenic Area in Taizhou's Jiangyan district. Its refrigerator magnets became an instant hit. One design featured the characters "溱湖" — meaning Qinhu Lake — in bold calligraphy, making it eye-catching and instantly recognizable. The other, shaped like a milu deer, used a panoramic photo of the Qinhu Lake National Wetland Park as its base. The magnets proved especially popular with children and quickly sold out.
A lineup of creative merchandise is displayed at the Luxembourg International Dragon Boat Festival on June 7. [Photo/WeChat account: tzfabu]
A photo exhibition held alongside the races displayed over 40 images celebrating Jiangsu's natural and cultural landscapes. Four represented Taizhou specifically: the golden rapeseed fields of Xinghua's Qianduo Scenic Area and the lively boat parade of the Qintong Boat Festival, among others.
A photo of Xinghua's golden rapeseed fields is displayed during the Luxembourg International Dragon Boat Festival on June 7. [Photo/WeChat account: tzfabu]
A photo shows a spectacular scene from the Qintong Boat Festival. [Photo/WeChat account: tzfabu]
One attendee from Luxembourg described the day as a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Beyond sampling Jiangsu tea, visitors — including children — tried their hand at paper-cutting and rubbing prints, two intangible cultural heritage crafts from the Chinese region.
