To celebrate Chinese traditional Dragon Boat Festival, our Confucius Institute at GROUP T – Academy will organize, together with Alma Groep T, a cultural exhibition.   This cultural event is about the origin and legend of this festival, demonstration how to make and taste Zongzi, the typical food for this festival and food tasting(Zongzi). It will take place on May 23, 2019 from 12:00 to 14: 00 in the Alma Groep T and Atrium, Andreas Vesaliusstraat 13, 3000 Leuven.

 

Date: May 23, 2019

Time: 12:00 - 14:00

Venue: Alma Groep T and Atrium, Andreas Vesaliusstraat 13, 3000, Leuven

Program:12:00 - 14:00: Cultural Exhibition, demonstration of making and tasting Zongzi

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Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival, also called the Duanwu Festival, one of the traditional Chinese festivals, commemorates the death of the poet and statesman Mr. Qu Yuan (c. 340–278 BC). When his Country was conquered, in despair, Mr. Qu Yuan committed suicide by drowning himself in a river.

The most important activity of the festival is the Dragon Boat races. It symbolizes people's attempt to rescue Mr. Qu Yuan from the river. Nowadays the races also demonstrate the virtues of cooperation and teamwork.

The festival has also been marked by eating Zongzi. Zongzi is made of glutinous rice stuffed with different fillings and wrapped in reed leaves. According to legend, people thrown Zongzi into the river to prevent the fish from eating the  body of Mr. Qu Yuan.