Han Ximin, Xiao Peishan

ximhan@126.com

MORE than 300 expats and local residents partook in a zongzi-wrapping activity held over the weekend in Shekou to experience traditional Chinese custom of the Dragon Boat Festival that will fall on Thursday.

For the convenience of expats, who were available at different times, the organizers, Shekou Management and Service Center for Expats (Shekou MSCE) and Peninsula Property Management Office, held a session Friday and Sunday.

The 2,000-year-old Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is one of the most colorful traditional holidays in China. It is celebrated with various folk activities to wish for good health and long life.

Making and eating zongzi, the traditional Chinese sticky rice dumplings, is one of the most traditional customs to celebrate the festival, the 5th day of the 5th lunar month.

The simple steps of making a zongzi, including folding reed leaves, adding fillings and wrapping into a pyramid, cone or triangle, appealed to many expats that wanted to have a try, but it is never as easy as it sounds — things like being unable to add the filling, filling leaking out, broken leaves, or being unable to tie the strings, often happened.

However, Cintia Diniz from Brazil has already mastered this skill. This was the second year for her to take part in the event. Experience from last year’s event made her a skilled zongzi maker.

Deftly wrapping the filling with the reed leaves into a perfect pyramid shape, she was delighted to show her beautiful zongzi to the staff.

She said the festivities were fantastic and it’s great to experience Chinese culture with local residents.

Craft activities, such as making scented sachets which required participants to complete a multi-faceted procedure, from embroidery to adding scented herbs, as well as making five-colored strings, also attracted many families to join.

Shany Goren and her children from Israel were amazed by the craft events. She said this was a very nice activity and the most interesting part for her children was making the crafts.

“My kid also took part in Shekou MSCE’s skateboard activity before. He really likes it.”

Shekou MSCE is dedicated to promoting cultural exchange, keeping expats updated on local law and regulations, and helping make expats’ life easier in Shekou.

In addition to traditional Chinese activities, the center said it is going to launch a series of cultural activities from a variety of countries in the future.