The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (HKETO) joined community leaders, athletes, and thousands of spectators at the 38th Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival (Festival) held on the Centre Island in Toronto, Canada, celebrating the global appeal of dragon boat racing and the strong cultural ties between Hong Kong and Canada.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Festival on June 13, the Director of the HKETO, Mr Bill Wong, congratulated the Toronto Chinese Business Association on hosting another successful edition of one of the most anticipated summer events in Ontario.
“Exactly 50 years ago, the first international dragon boat race took place in Hong Kong, transforming a traditional Chinese cultural activity into a modern international sport,” Mr Wong said. “Ten years later, dragon boat racing arrived in Canada during Expo 86 in Vancouver before expanding to other major cities across the country, including Toronto.”
He added that the annual Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival, one of the city’s signature mega events, will take place in two weeks. The event will feature teams from 16 countries and regions, including Canada.
Mr Wong invited friends in Canada to visit Hong Kong this summer to experience in person the energy of dragon boat racing at the world-renowned Victoria Harbour, as well as the rich culture and vibrancy of the city.
On both days of the Festival, the HKETO set up a Hong Kong Pavilion with a mini-exhibition to showcase the history of dragon boats. Gifts were also distributed to the race spectators.
As one of the highlights of the Festival, the commemorative Hong Kong Cup, sponsored by the HKETO, was presented to a winning team on June 14.
The HKETO will also support the Dragon Boat Festival in Ottawa from June 19 to 21, to continue promoting dragon boating and fostering cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Canada.
香港經貿辦慶祝多倫多和渥太華龍舟節
香港駐多倫多經濟貿易辦事處（香港經貿辦）聯同社區領袖、運動健兒及數以千計的觀眾齊集加拿大多倫多中央島，參與第38屆多倫多國際龍舟節（龍舟節），同慶這項廣受全球歡迎的體育盛事，並祝賀香港與加拿大之間深厚的文化聯繫。
香港經貿辦處長王國彪於六月十三日在龍舟節開幕禮上致辭，他恭賀多倫多華商會成功舉辦新一屆龍舟節，該活動已成為安大略省最矚目的夏季盛事之一。
王國彪表示：「五十年前，首屆國際龍舟賽在香港舉行，將一項傳統的中國文化活動發展成為現代國際體育賽事。十年後，龍舟運動透過一九八六年溫哥華世界博覽會引入加拿大，並擴展至包括多倫多在內的主要城市。」
王國彪補充說，一年一度的香港國際龍舟節將於兩星期後舉行，這是香港的標誌性盛事之一。屆時，來自包括加拿大在內16個國家和地區的隊伍將展開精彩激烈的賽事。
王國彪誠邀加拿大的朋友今個夏季到訪香港，親身感受在舉世聞名的維多利亞港舉行的競渡盛況，並體驗這城市豐富多彩的文化及活力。
龍舟節舉行期間，香港經貿辦特設香港展館，透過小型展覽介紹龍舟歷史，並向觀賽人士派發紀念品。
香港經貿辦於六月十四日向勝出隊伍頒發其贊助的「香港杯」，此獎盃是龍舟賽的重點活動之一。
此外，香港經貿辦亦支持於六月十九日至二十一日在渥太華市舉行的龍舟節，繼續推廣龍舟運動及促進港加兩地的文化交流。
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