Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival returns to Dubai for second edition (with photos)

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) sponsored the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival 2024, which took place in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on February 10 and 11 (Dubai time).

     Returning for its second edition, this year's festival attracted more than 30 teams per day with a total of about 1 200 competitors during the two-day event on the shores of Dubai. Among them was a team formed by the Dubai ETO, consisting of members of the Hong Kong community living in the UAE. 

     Coinciding with the Lunar New Year, this year's festival expanded into a weekend extravaganza, featuring not only competitive races in various categories, but also a range of festivities, including a lion dance performance and interactive activities enticing paddlers and spectators to learn more about Hong Kong. The Dubai ETO also set up a promotional booth at the venue over the weekend to provide the latest information on Hong Kong's newest tourism attractions, arts and culture offerings, and sports mega events.

     Speaking at the award presentation ceremony, the Deputy Director of the Dubai ETO, Mr Alvin Wong, noted that dragon boat racing in Hong Kong highlighted both its positioning as a centre for major international sports events as well as its rich cultural heritage. "We are delighted to support the event in Dubai once again, and would invite our friends in the Middle East region to visit Hong Kong to experience our unique East-meets-West culture in person," he said.

     The Dubai ETO will continue to organise various events in the UAE and the other five member states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf with the aim of deepening cultural exchanges and promoting people-to-people bonds.