STORY: Dragon boat festival held in Prague
SHOOTING TIME: May 11, 2024
DATELINE: May 12, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:21
LOCATION: Prague
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the dragon awakening ceremony
2. various of Chinese participants
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): PETR KLIMA, President of the Czech Dragon Boat Association
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): FENG BIAO, Chinese Ambassador to the Czech Republic
5. various of the dragon boat race
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): CHEN YUNSHENG, Head of Chinese team
7. various of dragon dance and drum performance
8. various of exhibition of Shangshan culture from Zhejiang

STORYLINE:

The 27th Prague Dragon Boat Festival kicked off Saturday on the Vltava River in the Czech capital Prague, attracting international participants from countries such as Germany, the United States, and China.

A Chinese team from China's Zhejiang Province took part in the event.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): PETR KLIMA, President of the Czech Dragon Boat Association
"This Prague Dragon Boat Festival is here for the 27th year and this is the oldest dragon boat race in the Czech Republic. This year, there is a very special guest for us. In the Year of the Dragon, there is the Chinese team. Dragon boating is a Chinese sport. And (it's) not only (a) sport but a tradition. It's culture, it's folklore. So we are so happy that you are here."

At the event, Chinese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Feng Biao noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Czech Republic, and it's also the Chinese Year of the Dragon.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): FENG BIAO, Chinese Ambassador to the Czech Republic
"The dragon boat race inspires participants to work together and cooperate. China is willing to paddle together with friends from all walks of life in the Czech Republic. We hope that the China-Czech relations can ride the waves and keep moving forward, like rowing a dragon boat."

There were charity races for amateur and corporate crews on Saturday morning, and competitions for sports crews on 200-meter and 2-kilometer tracks in the afternoon.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): CHEN YUNSHENG, Head of Chinese team
"Dragon boat racing is a traditional cultural activity in China. Our team has 23 members. (In today's competition), I am very satisfied with my team members' performance because they have demonstrated their skills and showcased their charisma. It is a great honor to have the opportunity to compete abroad as dragon boat paddlers."

During the event, Czech youth performed dragon dance, while Chinese youth drummed to cheer on the participants.

Chinese residents in Prague also set up a "Chinese corner," showcasing Chinese cuisine, calligraphy, and handicrafts.

In addition, a photo exhibition was also held on the sidelines of the event, introducing the Shangshan culture, a Neolithic culture that originated in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China's longest waterway.

The event was organized by the Czech Dragon Boat Association.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Prague.
(XHTV)