Celebrate Dragon Boat Festival with English & Art Activities!

【Introduction】 The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is one of the most important traditional festivals in China. It falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, which usually falls in June in the Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated with dragon boat races, eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), and honoring the memory of Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet.

【English Corner】

1. Dragon Boat Race: Dragon boat racing is a popular sport in China during the Dragon Boat Festival. Teams of paddlers race in long, narrow boats decorated with dragon heads and tails. The races are accompanied by the beating of drums and the cheering of the crowds.
2. Zongzi: Zongzi is a traditional Chinese food made of glutinous rice, stuffed with various fillings such as pork, beans, and eggs, and wrapped in bamboo leaves. It is a special food for the Dragon Boat Festival.
3. Qu Yuan: Qu Yuan was a patriotic poet who lived in the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). He was exiled by the king and eventually drowned himself in the Miluo River. People throw zongzi into the river to commemorate his death.

【Art Corner】

1. Dragon Boat: Draw a picture of a dragon boat with dragon heads and tails. Use bright colors to make it look festive.
2. Zongzi: Draw a picture of a zongzi with bamboo leaves. Use different colors to show the different fillings inside.
3. Qu Yuan: Draw a picture of Qu Yuan with a sad expression, standing on the riverbank. Use dark colors to show the melancholy mood.

【Activity】 Create your own Dragon Boat Festival mini-newspaper by combining the English and Art Corners. Write a short paragraph about each topic and include your drawings. Share your mini-newspaper with your family and friends to spread the joy of the festival.