The Home in Wuhan 2025 Dragon Boat International Cultural Day event was held in the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone

As the summer approaches, the bond between people grows stronger. On May 28th, the 2025 Dragon Boat International Cultural Day event, organized by the Wuhan Municipal Government's Foreign Affairs Office and the Wuhan People's Association for International Friendship, was held at the Yongwang Qianji Baking Experience Center in the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone. About 30 international students from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan University, Huazhong Normal University, Hubei University, and Jianghan University gathered together to make zongzi and green bean cakes, deeply experiencing the charm of the traditional Chinese festival, and jointly writing the warm chapter of "Home in Wuhan". 
On that day, after learning about the long history and rich customs of the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, the international students enthusiastically shared the traditional festivals of their own countries and began the "Global Festival Tour". 

Li An, a Spanish international student from Wuhan University, vividly described the "Fiesta de San Juan" in Spain: "During the Festival of San Juan, the streets and alleys of Valencia are filled with puppets made of wood, cardboard, and foam plastic. These creative, diverse, and lifelike puppets are called 'Fiesta', and the festival culminates in the burning of the puppets, symbolizing the end of winter and the rebirth of spring." The lively narration of Li An made one feel as if they were in the "flame parade" of the spring night in Southern Europe.
The Russian international student from Huazhong University, Lina, wearing traditional ethnic costumes, said: "Our 'Feast of the Dead' is also called the Farewell to Winter Festival. It uses the burning of straw men to bid farewell to the cold winter and welcome the warm spring. The traditional food is baked pancakes, which symbolize the sun and represent the arrival of spring and the longer days." 

This wonderful commonality left Bai Long, a Brazilian student from Hubei University, extremely delighted. He said: "The Brazilians also like fire. We dance, set off fireworks, and make various corn-based snacks during the Brazilian Festival of June. We share the joy of the harvest." He specially wore the symbolical hat of the festival to add a strong "hometown" feeling to his sharing.

After experiencing diverse cultures, the international students embarked on an immersive journey of experiencing Chinese Dragon Boat Festival customs, becoming "explorers" of traditional Chinese culture, and making their own Dragon Boat Festival delicacies. Facing the green bamboo leaves and white glutinous rice, Li An was a bit overwhelmed, "This is really a sweet challenge." Fortunately, his fellow countryman Elliot and the Chinese master on site promptly offered help, and after repeated attempts, they finally succeeded. Holding his own "workpiece" in his hands, he exclaimed: "The zongzi is like life, with both sweet and bitter flavors. Only by carefully wrapping can one achieve the beloved taste!" 

Jianghan University's Moroccan student Sadie demonstrated a talent for food preparation and easily mastered the skills of making green bean cakes. "It's so interesting!" She was even more surprised when she discovered that the soft and sticky texture of the green bean cakes was very similar to the rose ice cream that must be eaten at the rose festival in her hometown. "I feel closer to China and Wuhan, with a sense of 'home'!" 

Source: Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone