Entrance is free and there will be fun and entertainment for all the family
The Belgium Hong Kong Society and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) are delighted to be the sponsor and the title sponsor of the wonderful Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival at Kempisch Dok in Antwerp on Saturday 12 September 2015.
In Hong Kong, the Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng Jit in Cantonese) occurs on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and is the Chinese festival with the longest history, going back 2,000 years. Dragon Boat racing is also a prominent sport in Hong Kong at other times of year, with an estimated 30,000 active paddlers. The sport is becoming increasingly popular around the world and has ten official competition teams in the Netherlands alone. Belgium caught the bug in 2011, when the Festival was held in Antwerp for the first time at the initiative of Antwerp Rotary West.
This colourful and exciting festival is one of the biggest summer happenings in Antwerp, and a great day out for all the family. Entrance is completely free. The racing teams, some dressed in fun outfits, can be watched and cheered on from the waterfront from 10am to 4pm, and there will be lots of choices of food and drink, including delicious Chinese food, traditional snacks, Belgian beer, oysters and champagne. Other entertainment will include a traditional Chinese Lion Dance at 11.30am, Asian drum band Feniks Taiko, street orchestra ’t Klein Muziekske and live performances by Flemish crooners Ronny Lee and Doran, all under the patronage of well-known Antwerpenaer, Axel Daeseleire. Meanwhile, children can enjoy the activities laid on for them in the Kids’ Village, including a bouncy castle, jugglers, make-up and clowns.
Miss Alice Choi, Deputy Representative of the HKETO, Brussels, will give the starting shot of the races at 10am, and Miss Drew Lai, Acting Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, will present the main award for the fastest team at around 4.30pm. After the prize-giving, DJ sets will start the dancing and keep the party going until 10pm.
Last year over 7,000 visitors came to enjoy the sporting and carnival atmosphere around the water. There will be a big marquee (tent) where people can sit to rest, eat and drink, or in case it gets chilly or there is an odd shower of rain. Visitors can also visit the tents of various participating organisations, including the tent of the HKETO, Brussels which will give information about Hong Kong and organise an (easy) contest with many prizes for those who can answer a few simple questions about Hong Kong.
In addition to community groups, many companies are also taking part in this team-building event. The HKETO, Brussels has entered two boats this year: Hong Kong Dragons, with a crew of staff and their family and friends, and Hong Kong's International Paddlers -a boat with a crew of expat and local paddlers.
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival’s 5th edition organised by Antwerp Rotary West will take place on Saturday 12 September at the Kempischdok-Zuidkaai, 2030 Antwerp. Any profits will go to charities.
We hope you will all come and join us at this fun event !
Check out the Festival’s webpage and Facebook page for more information and pictures, to get a feel of the event !
www.drakenbootfestival.be
https://www.facebook.com/Drakenbootfestival.be
