The Dragon Boat Festival returns for its 17th edition
The traditional-dragon boats race is preparing to vibrate the Caudan Waterfront this Sunday, May 25, 2025
The Dragon Boat Festival, an essential event of the Mauritian cultural calendar, is about to celebrate its 17th edition this Sunday, May 25, 2025 at the Caudan Waterfront in Port-Louis. From 12 noon, the shores of the seafront will live up to the rhythm of drums and paddles for a day of competition, festivities and sino-maurician cultural discovery.
An ancestral tradition in the spotlight
Originally from China, this millennial tradition commemorates the patriotic poet that Yuan who would have thrown himself into the Miluo river in 278 BC. To protest against government corruption. According to legend, the villagers have rushed into their boats to try to save him, beating drums and throwing rice into the water to prevent fish from devouring his body.
In Mauritius, this celebration has taken on a particular dimension over the years, becoming a multicultural event which brings together far beyond the Sino-Mauritian community. It is now part of a highlight of sharing and exchange between all the communities of the island.
A program rich in emotions
The event will start at noon with the traditional opening ceremony, marked by the "lion dance" and the speeches of the personalities present. The first races will start at 1:00 p.m., offering an impressive visual and sound show to the spectators massed along the quay.
For this 17th edition, the organizers announce the record participation of 28 teams, including 18 male teams, 8 female teams and, for the first time, 2 junior teams made up of young people aged 14 to 17. Each team, made up of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a barrier, will compete on a 250 -meter course in an electric atmosphere.
News from the 2025 edition
This year, several innovations enrich the event:
- A Chinese cultural village will offer calligraphy, martial and traditional kitchen workshops
- A photographic exhibition retracing the history of the Dragon Boat in Mauritius since its first edition in 2009
- A Decoration Decoration Competition with public vote
- An extended gastronomic area offering a wide range of Sino-Mauritian specialties
"We want to make this 17th edition a real bridge between tradition and modernity," explains Chen Li-Wei, president of the organizing committee. “The Dragon Boat Festival is not just a sports competition, it is a celebration of our cultural heritage and a moment of sharing open to all Mauritians. »»
A reinforced charitable dimension
True to its social commitment, the festival will support this year the "Stars of the Ocean" foundation, which works for the education of disadvantaged children. Part of the team registration fees and the revenue of the stands will be donated to the association.
"We are keen to give a united dimension to our event," says Sarah Wong, head of partnerships. “It is a way of perpetuating the spirit of community and mutual aid which is at the very heart of the tradition of the Dragon Boat. »»
Useful information
- Date and time: Sunday May 25, 2025, from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.
12h00 - Arrival of the dragons and lions at Caudan + firecrackers
12:25pm - Opening of the Lion Dance - Cercle du Lion d'Or (women's group)
12:35 - 13:45 - Cultural shows :
- Line dancing by Goldbeez
- Chinese dances (Attila Cultural Group, CMS Wellness Association, Tracy Chinatown Dance Group)
- Chinese songs (Chow Yun Fat)
- Fusion of ballet and Chinese dance by VIBE'IT Dance
- Musical artists by Stephen Ah Sen1:10 p.m., 1:55 p.m., 2:45 p.m.-Chasse-dragons playoffs
2:15pm - 3:25pm - Other dance and cultural performances
15h25 - Dragon Boat Race Final
4:05pm - Chinese dance demonstration by Groupe NAIR (autonomous region of Inner Mongolia)
4:40 p.m. - Awards ceremony - Place: Caudan Waterfront, Port-Louis
- Access: Free parking available to visitors (limited spaces)
- Entrance: Free for all spectators
- Restoration: Food and drinks stands on site
The organizers recommend to visitors to have sun protection and reusable water bottles, water fountains being available on the site.
For more information or to register as a volunteer, go to the official website of the event: www.dragonboatmauritius.org or contact the organizing committee at 5897-3210.
The Dragon Boat Festival 2025 promises to be, once again, a highlight of cohesion and cultural celebration in an idyllic setting. Do not miss this unique event where sport, tradition and sharing meet in an explosion of colors and emotions.
Press contact: Julie Leung -communication@dragonboatmauritius.org-Tel: 5291-4567
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