Dragon Boats as Bridges, Culture as Bonds: Chinese Cultural Carnival on Rome’s EUR Lake

The two-day 2025 China Cultural Festival, China–Europe Dragon Boat Invitational and the 2nd Rome “Marco Polo” Cup Dragon Boat Invitational concluded successfully on September 21 at Rome’s EUR Lake. The event, combining sporting competition, cultural showcase and culinary delights, drew enthusiastic participation from local citizens, tourists and members of the Chinese diaspora. With its festive atmosphere, the carnival offered a vivid celebration of Chinese culture while marking the 55th anniversary of China–Italy diplomatic ties and the 50th anniversary of China–EU relations.

At the grand opening ceremony on the morning of the 21st, distinguished guests from China and Italy were present, including Guo Lin, Minister-Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Italy; Liu Junzhu, Director of the Social Sports Instruction Centre of China’s General Administration of Sport and Chairman of the China Dragon Boat Association; and Augusto Gregori, Deputy Head of Rome’s Ninth District.

In her remarks, Minister-Counsellor Guo Lin praised the Chinese community in Rome for keeping alive China’s fine traditions, noting that Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival had evolved from occasions for the diaspora into festivals for all Romans. She underlined that dragon boat racing embodies the spirit of unity and perseverance. Calling the event both a cultural feast and a bridge of friendship, she pledged that the embassy would continue to build platforms for cultural exchange. She also invited Italian friends to visit China under its visa-free policy to experience the warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people.

Liu Junzhu expressed gratitude to all organizations and individuals who contributed to the success of the event. He highlighted the dragon boat spirit of “pulling together in the same boat and striving forward with courage,” and voiced hope that the exchange would deepen Sino-Italian friendship and foster mutual learning among civilizations.

Deputy Head Augusto Gregori stressed that the festival served as a bridge of communication and the future, with EUR Lake Park providing the perfect stage. He pledged that District Nine would continue to join hands with partners to promote China–Italy exchange and cooperation.

Liu Guanghua, Vice Chairman of the Zhejiang Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, added that dragon boating has boomed not only in Wenzhou but also in overseas bases in countries like Italy. He called the event both a major sporting occasion and a vivid example of Chinese culture “going global,” opening a new chapter in Sino-Italian people-to-people friendship.

The China–Europe Dragon Boat Invitational was the highlight of the festival. More than a dozen teams from China, Italy and other European countries competed fiercely on EUR Lake. With pounding drums and boats surging ahead, the races presented what Wang Weijun, President of the Italian Chinese Dragon Boat Club, described as “a spectacular dialogue between Eastern and Western civilizations.” After intense competition, the French Sino-French Friendship and Mutual Aid Association (Team Feilong) captured the 200-metre, 500-metre and overall championships.

Off the water, the China Cultural Food Festival offered equal excitement. Booths lined the lakeshore, featuring dazzling handicrafts, fragrant Chinese delicacies, martial arts demonstrations and graceful folk dances. Visitors enjoyed an immersive “one-stop” experience of Chinese culture, with the grounds radiating a joyful, festive atmosphere.

Cheng Peng, President of the Federation of Chinese Associations in Rome, noted: “Over the past 55 years, overseas Chinese in Italy have been both witnesses to and builders of bilateral friendship. This grand event is our community’s sincere exchange with mainstream society. When we see Chinese and Italian citizens cheering athletes together under the same sky, the phrase ‘China and Italy are one family’ comes vividly alive.”

In his opening speech, Wang Weijun said: “We hope to ‘use dragon boats as bridges,’ building a cross-cultural bridge of friendship on EUR Lake. Today we are passing on not only speed, but also the deep bond of solidarity shared between the peoples of China and Italy, and indeed all those who cherish life.”

The successful staging of this festival not only showcased the unique charm of Chinese culture and the positive spirit of overseas Chinese in Italy, but also added a brilliant stroke of “China red” to Rome’s multicultural life.