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In
The News
2008
Boston China Summer
www.bostonchinasummer.org
Boston China Summer is a collaboration of civic, cultural, and educational
organizations working together to highlight Chinese and Chinese American art
and culture throughout the Greater Boston area. As the world looks toward the
Beijing Olympics, we hope that you will join in our celebration of Chinese
culture.
Boston China Summer 2008 activities are held from mid-May through October.
For a complete calendar of events visit
www.bostonchinasummer.org.
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2007
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE - download this document in
 English or
Chinese
28th Annual Dragon Boat Festival
BOSTON -May 25, 2007- Enjoy the festivities at the 28th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival on Sunday,
June 10, 2007, from 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., taking place along the Charles River between JFK street and the
Western Avenue Bridge. Come marvel at the brightly colored dragon boats, as they are raced down the Charles
River by lively paddlers from Greater Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and as far away as Canada. The festival
is sponsored in part by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, United Commercial Bank, Foxwoods Resort & Casino,
State Street, Mass Council on Compulsive Gambling, Keyspan, Citizens Bank, the Dragon Boat Festival Committee of
Boston Children’s Museum, and more.
This year’s festival, which is the largest Asian
American celebration in New England, will include more than 30 teams competing in four categories: open, mixed,
corporate and women’s. A special heat will be devoted to breast cancer survivors. It will also feature traditional
Chinese arts and crafts by the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association; a Dragon Dance; Asian songs, Philippine
Cultural Dance; martial arts, Chinese dance and folk performances; traditional Japanese festival drumming and Asian
foods. The festival, free and open to the public, will be held rain or shine.
The Legend of the Dragon Boat Races
Traditionally held on the fifth day of the fifth moon on the lunar calendar (late May to mid June on the solar calendar),
the Dragon Boat Festival commemorates the life and death of the Qu Yuan (340-278 BC). A political leader of Chu,
Qu Yuan is recognized as China’s first distinguished poet. Qu Yuan lost the king’s favor and was banished from
his home state of Chu because of his opposition to the prevalent policy of compromise to the powerful state of Qin.
In exile, he wrote the poem, “Encountering Sorrow” which shows a great loyalty to his state and its people.
In 278, Qu Yuan heard that Chu had been invaded. In despair, he drowned himself in the Mi Lo River. The
people of Chu rushed to the river to rescue him. Too late to save Qu Yuan, they splashed furiously and threw
zung-ze (traditional rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves) into the river as a sacrifice to his spirit and to
keep the fishes away from his body.
Today, the Dragon Boat Festivals are popular around the
world. The first US Dragon Boat Festival held in Boston was used as a vehicle to promote Asian culture and a
chance to bring together diverse communities from Boston and surrounding areas. In previous years, more than
20,000 people lined the banks of the Charles to enjoy the festivities and performances.
For more information, check out the
Festival website at www.bostondragonboat.org or call
(617) 426-6500, x 778 for a recorded message.
About Boston Children’s Museum
Boston Children’s Museum exists to help children understand and enjoy the world in which they live. It is a private,
non-profit, educational institution that is recognized internationally as a research and development center and
pacesetter for children's exhibitions, educational programs and curriculum. Boston Children’s Museum incorporates
two strategies – engaging families and building communities – to impact five outcome areas for children:
Creative Kids, Curious Kids, Global Kids, Green Kids and Healthy Kids. More information about Boston Children’s Museum can be found at
www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org.
Hours and Admission
The Museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Fridays until 9:00 p.m. Children (2-15) and senior citizens,
$8; other adults $10; one year olds, $2; Fridays 5:00pm – 9:00pm, all visitors $1. Infants under one and Museum
members are always free.
BOSTON DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL TO MARK 10th
ANNIVERSARY OF HKSAR
A dragon boat race to mark the special occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment
of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was held at the 28th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat
Festival on the Charles River in Boston today (June 10, Boston time). Speaking at the festival's
opening ceremony, the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Ms Monica Chen, said
that the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" had been successfully implemented in Hong Kong
in the past decade.
(PressZoom) - A dragon boat race to
mark the special occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region was held at the 28th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival on the Charles
River in Boston today ( June 10, Boston time ).
Speaking at the festival's opening
ceremony, the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Ms Monica Chen, said that
the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" had been successfully implemented in Hong Kong in
the past decade.
"Our core values and way of life are
preserved and we remain the freest economy in the world and a vibrant and cosmopolitan community," she said.
Ms Chen told the audience that the
Economic and Trade Office in New York would be hosting a variety of activities, including receptions,
film events, cultural performances and conferences to showcase Hong Kong's achievements in the past
10 years and future opportunities.
"In Hong Kong, more than 450 events and
activities have been organised between April and December to celebrate this special occasion. Please
come visit us in Hong Kong and share our joy in our celebrations!" she said.
Some 20,000 people participated in the
event today. A total of 34 teams took part in the races and the 10th anniversary cup went to
Dragonheart Vermont, BCS.
A Hong Kong booth with a colorful
display of the Brand Hong Kong feather banners and flags as well as 10th anniversary balloons
and banners was set up at the venue to distribute souvenirs.
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival,
sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, is the second in a series of
dragon boat events on the east coast to commemorate the 10th anniversary.
From the Boston Herald, June 11, 2007
Dragon boats fire up Charles
By Jaclyn Fitzgerald
Monday, June 11, 2007 - Updated: 06:20 AM EST
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Boaters from across the country and throughout Canada made quite a splash yesterday at the
Charles River in celebration of the 28th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.
“It’s one of the largest in the country and it’s actually one of the first in the country
and I think the fact that it’s celebrating its 28th anniversary is a big deal,” said Boston Children’s Museum
spokesman Rick Stockwood.
The Metro Dragons of New York paddled their way to victory
in the overall competition, while the Dragon Boat Club of Boston got the local nod.
The festival is held in honor of the late Qu Yuan, a political leader and China’s first
notable poet. It is celebrated annually on the fifth day of the fifth moon on the lunar calendar. Boaters
competed in four categories and spectators enjoyed traditional Chinese and Japanese music, dance and food.
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Oar Else! Competitors give it their all
during yesterday’s Dragon Boat race
on the Charles.
(Herald photo: Michael Fein)
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(Courtesy of the World
Journal)
From: Chien-Chi Huang
To: Swartz, Leslie
Cc: Wang, Gail
Date: Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Subject: Dragon Boat event
Hi there,
It was great working with you at the Dragon Boat Festival!
The event was wonderful and you did a terrific job putting
this together (hats off to you both).
The Council looks forward to participating in the festival
again next year!!
Thanks again,
Chien-Chi Huang
Asian Community Program Specialist
Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling
190 High Street, Suite 5
Boston, MA 02110-3031
www.masscompulsivegambling.org
Chinese Helpline: 857-383-3557
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From: Stanley Y. Lee
Date: June 14, 2007
Subject: Big THANK YOU
On behalf of the Verizon team, I want to extend a big
THANK YOU to the organizers, and all the volunteers and
dock staff for pulling off another successful Dragonboat
Festival. Looking forward to next year!
Leo Chen
Stan Lee
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2006
The 2006
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival of Boston
2005
The 2005
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival of Boston
2004
Dragon
Boat Festival Returns to the Charles
New
Dragon Boats Arrive for June 13th Races
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