The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (HKETO) extended the spirit of dragon boat racing celebrations to Ottawa and Vancouver, Canada, on June 20 and 21.
The Acting Director of the HKETO, Mr Gavin Yeung, attended the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival and Vancouver’s Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival on June 20 and 21 respectively, to support two of Canada's most anticipated summer events while promoting cultural heritage.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival on June 20, Mr Yeung highlighted that the dragon boat race signified the strong ties between Hong Kong and Canada, as this water sport was introduced to Canada from Hong Kong nearly four decades ago. The Ottawa festival, held from June 20 to 22, featured over 100 teams and thrilled spectators with high-energy races and engaging cultural programmes from across the region.
On June 21, the HKETO continued the celebrations as Mr Yeung attended the flagship event in Vancouver, which organised Canada's first dragon boat racing event after receiving six teak dragon boats from Hong Kong in 1986. Since then, the festival has become an annual landmark celebration that connects the community.
In his remarks, Mr Yeung welcomed visitors to explore Hong Kong’s unique charm. “From the iconic Victoria Harbour and scenic hiking trails to a rich blend of heritage and modern architecture, and from vibrant culinary experiences to picturesque outlying islands, Hong Kong is both a cultural crossroads and a dynamic global metropolis. We warmly welcome members of the Canadian community to visit and experience Hong Kong,” he said.
Besides thrilling races, the Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival also featured live concerts, vendors and food trucks, and a mini-exhibition showcasing the history of dragon boating in Hong Kong. Attracting over 200 000 visitors and racers, it stands as the largest dragon boat celebration in North America.
香港經貿處在渥太華及溫哥華龍舟節推廣文化傳承
香港駐多倫多經濟貿易辦事處（香港經貿處）於六月二十日和二十一日，將龍舟競賽的熱潮延續至加拿大渥太華和溫哥華。
香港經貿處署理處長楊江鋒分別於六月二十日和二十一日出席渥太華龍舟節和溫哥華協平世博龍舟節，支持兩項在加拿大備受矚目的夏季盛事，並藉此推廣文化傳承。
楊江鋒在六月二十日於渥太華龍舟節開幕禮上致辭。他指出，龍舟競渡這項水上運動於近四十年前由香港傳入加拿大，象徵香港與加拿大之間緊密的聯繫。渥太華龍舟節於六月二十日至二十二日舉行，吸引逾百支隊伍參賽，現場觀眾全情投入激烈的競賽和豐富的文化節目。
在六月二十一日，楊江鋒出席溫哥華的龍舟節旗艦活動，延續節慶熱情。溫哥華於一九八六年獲香港送贈六艘柚木龍舟，並成為加拿大首個舉辦龍舟競渡的城市。此後，該節日成為連結社區的年度盛事。
楊江鋒在致辭時歡迎訪客探索香港的獨特魅力。他說：「從標誌性的維多利亞港和風景優美的行山路徑，到融合傳統與現代建築的文化遺產；從多姿多彩的美食體驗到風光如畫的離島風情，香港是文化交匯點和充滿活力的國際大都會。我們熱烈歡迎加拿大人來訪，親身體驗香港的魅力。」
除刺激的比賽外，溫哥華龍舟節還設有現場音樂會、攤販和美食車，以及展示香港龍舟文化的展覽。活動是北美最大的龍舟盛事，吸引超過20萬名遊客和參賽者到場。
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