Last Friday, members of the Israel–China Friendship Society took part in the Dragon Boat Festival in Acre. Known in Chinese as 端午节 (Duānwǔ Jié), or the Duanwu Festival, the event brought together sport, tradition, food, and cultural exchange on the coast of one of Israel’s most historic cities.

Society members did not attend only as spectators. We joined the dragon boats as a team, rowed alongside other participants, and took part in a short race against another non-professional team. Beyond the friendly competition, the experience highlighted the central principle of dragon boating: success depends on coordination, rhythm, and collective effort.

The day also offered a unique view of Acre from the sea, including its ancient walls, towers, and coastline.

As part of the festival, participants enjoyed traditional 粽子 (zòngzi)—sticky-rice parcels wrapped in bamboo leaves and filled with either sweet or savoury ingredients. Zongzi is one of the best-known foods associated with the Duanwu Festival.

According to tradition, the festival commemorates Qu Yuan, a poet and statesman from the Warring States period. After his death in a river more than 2,300 years ago, local people reportedly went out in boats to search for him and threw rice into the water to protect his body from fish. These traditions later became associated with dragon boat racing and zongzi.

The event also provided an opportunity for informal conversations with H.E. Xiao Junzheng, Ambassador of China to Israel, as well as with organisers, participants, and other friends of China–Israel relations.

It was a meaningful day of sport, culture, traditional food, and direct people-to-people connection. We thank everyone who organised the festival and took part.

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