[Explanation] As night fell, in the river channel, gongs and drums were noisy, and there were constant cheers. Dozens of dragon boats shuttled between them, which was very lively. This is a scene the reporter saw in Sanxi Village, Changle, Fuzhou, the famous hometown of overseas Chinese.
The local dragon boat race at night is a unique custom of Dragon Boat Festival in China, which has been followed for more than 600 years.
[Explanation] At 6:30 in the afternoon, on the bank of Nanxi River in Sanxi Village, Pan Ge, the captain of the Longxing Dragon Boat Club, is organizing his companions to make the final preparations before boarding.
This year, the club’s new dragon boat was launched, and everyone was eager to try it.
[On-site synchronization]
[Concurrent] Pan Ge, Captain of Longxing Dragon Boat Club, Sanxi Village, Changle, Fuzhou
As a new dragon boat, we will hold a more formal water test ceremony, that is, our members and folks will carry the dragon boat around the whole village, and then choose a time to launch it.
[Explanation] Pan Ge told reporters that a few days before the Dragon Boat Festival, the night in Sanxi Village became lively, and the night dragon boat race gradually became better, until the night of the Dragon Boat Festival reached its climax.
[Concurrent] Pan Ge, Captain of Longxing Dragon Boat Club, Sanxi Village, Changle, Fuzhou
This is a heritage of our village, and it is also a feature and highlight of our village. Our older elders said that long ago, because we didn't have time to do farm work during the day.
Then choose to row a dragon boat at night as an entertainment project, and then gradually pass on, and it becomes a kind of culture and history.
[Explanation] At 7 o'clock in the evening, the lights on both sides of the Nanxi River were shining, and the heads were crowded. Dozens of dragon boats shuttled back and forth on the stream. With the sound of drums and gongs, dozens of oars made an arc on the water at the same time. Line, splash.
The shouts, cheers, and cheering of the audience on both sides of the strait resounded one after another in the night sky.
[Concurrent] Pan Jianhang, drummer of Longxing Dragon Boat Club, Sanxi Village, Changle, Fuzhou
Dragon boat racing is a characteristic of our hometown. I personally love dragon boats. We will come back from other places about a month before the Dragon Boat Festival, and then gather all our team members to train together, and then we will be there when the Dragon Boat Festival is approaching. Competitive competition in this stream.
[Explanation] The local people told reporters that the Sanxi Night Dragon Boat Race does not show success in competitions. Instead, it is organized by classmates. Ladies and tourists can also participate in the fun, presenting a strong friendship between the villagers and a relaxed social atmosphere.
The reporter saw that in the small stream, in addition to the teams competing to swing the oars and smash the waves, many people from other places also participated in the fun of dragon boating.
[Concurrent] Pan Jianhang, drummer of Longxing Dragon Boat Club, Sanxi Village, Changle, Fuzhou
When the brothers are together with their friends, one feels very united, and the other has the spirit of working hard and making progress.
[Explanation] The reporter learned that the night dragon boat race in Sanxi Village lasts from the first day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar to the day of the Dragon Boat Festival. This unique Dragon Boat Festival also attracts tens of thousands of foreign tourists to watch the race.
Reporter Wu Shengwei reports from Fuzhou, Fujian
Editor in charge: 【Luo Pan】