STORY: Dutch expat experiences Dragon Boat Festival celebrations in China's Guangxi
DATELINE: June 23, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:28
LOCATION: NANNING, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE (English): ANDRE, Teacher at Guangxi Normal University
2. various of the Dragon Boat Festival celebrations in Guilin

STORYLINE:

Dutch expat Andre has been living in Guilin, China's Guangxi, for nearly six years. Follow him to experience the Dragon Boat Festival celebrations there.

SOUNDBITE (English): ANDRE, Dutch expat in China
"Hello everybody. I'm Andre from the Netherlands. I'm a mathematics teacher at Guangxi Normal University in Guilin. Today is the Dragon Boat Festival, and it is amazing.
I'm in Yongfu now. The locals are busy with different kinds of activities celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival with a lot of enthusiasm.
So please come along, and let's witness this together.
Lions symbolize, in China, prosperity and good luck.
I've been able to touch the head of the lion. I feel as if I have secured enough luck for next year.
It's time for me to unleash my inner adventurer and participate in a boat race.
I will join a team of expert rowers, and by synchronizing our strokes, we will try to navigate our boat to the currents.
The Dragon Boat Festival experience is not complete without the delicious treat called Zongzi. So let me roll up my sleeves and try to learn how to make Zongzi. The local experts will teach me how to prepare this delicious food.
These treats are made by wrapping sticky rice and various fillings in bamboo leaves.
Turn and keep it tight. I think I made it.
Today I have experienced the process of making Zongzi. I participated in a dragon boat race and I had the lucky touch of a lion. It was great to be part of this captivating festival. It embraces Chinese culture and it brings people together. I wish everybody a happy celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nanning, China.
(XHTV)