The Mayor of Ruse and the Ambassador of China opened the second edition of the Dragon Boat Festival

Saturday, 27 September 2025

The second edition of the Dragon Boat Festival, which combines sport, culture and Eastern traditions, kicked off today in the Lipnik Forest Park near the village of Nikolovo. The Mayor of Ruse Municipality Pencho Milkov and H.E. Dai Qingli - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Bulgaria, opened the event and welcomed the participants and the audience. "This festival brings people together through sport and the beauty of Chinese culture, promoting friendship and cooperation between peoples. Ruse is once again becoming a bridge between cultures and showing the strength of cooperation between our communities," said Mayor Milkov in his welcome address.

Ambassador Dai Qingli stressed the importance of the initiative to promote Chinese culture in Bulgaria. "The Dragon Boat Festival is a celebration that brings the spirit of cooperation, mutual respect and shared values. I am happy that it is here, in Ruse, that the tradition finds such a warm response," she said, noting that the event is a significant opportunity to strengthen cultural ties between Bulgaria and China.

After the official greetings, the two performed the traditional ritual of painting the dragon's eyes, after which they struck the festive gong together, thus symbolically starting the festival.

Official guests of the event were the deputy mayors of Ruse Municipality Borislav Rachev and Encho Enchev, the MP Bilyana Ivanova, the mayor of Nikolovo village Zlatan Vanev, the director of OP "Sports Properties" Lachezar Ivanov and Dr. Valeri Yordanov - head of the department "Physical Education and Sports" at the RU "Angel Kanchev".

The program was attended by the graduates of the Wushu and Tai Chi Club "Kalagia" at the Municipal Youth Center, the Sports Club "Aikiken", the Association "Sports Club Ruse", the Kickboxing Club "Akulite" and the Karate Club "Yunak". In the tents located near the stage, students from the Vasil Levski Secondary School presented calligraphy, henna drawings on leather, workshops on paper hieroglyphs and masks, as well as a game with Chinese chopsticks.

At 16:40, the 200 m dragon boat races began. The awarding of the competing teams took place at 18:30, and at 18:45, the stage came alive with a concert program by the rock band Melønheads from the Baba Tonka Music School.

The festival continues on Sunday. From 10:00, all those who wish will have the opportunity to get on dragon boats and experience the emotion of the race, as participation will be completely free of charge and preceded by mandatory instruction. Guests of the event will be able to visit attractive workshops on origami, pixel art, painting bags and kinye, as well as get acquainted with contemporary elements of Asian culture - anime, manga, K-pop, gaming and cosplay.

In the parking lot next to the small lake there are commercial tents with oriental food and drinks, an art bazaar and stands of local artists and craftsmen. The stage will offer a rich music and dance program that will maintain the festive mood on both days.

The Dragon Boat Festival is organized by the Municipality of Ruse with the assistance of the Canoe-Kayak Sports Club "Lokomotiv", Bulgarian Red Cross - Ruse and University Hospital "Kanev".

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