HKETO, Brussels promotes Hong Kong at Dragon Boat Festivals in Belgium and Ireland (English only) (with photos)

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     Crowds turned out at the weekend for two Hong Kong Dragon Boat festivals, one in Belgium’s port city of Antwerp on September 10 (Antwerp time), and the other in Ireland’s capital, Dublin, on September 10-11 (Dublin time). Both events were sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels).

     One of Belgium’s biggest summer happenings since 2011, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is superbly organised by the Rotary International, Antwerpen West and all its proceeds go to charities. Now in its sixth edition, it attracted 50 teams of competitors, comprising community groups, companies and organisations. Over 7 000 enthusiastic spectators and participants came with their families and friends to enjoy the carnival and sporting atmosphere around the water on a beautiful sunny day.

     Deputy Representative of the HKETO, Brussels, Miss Alice Choi, gave the starting shot of the Antwerp races in the company of the President of the Antwerp Port Authority and Alderman of the City of Antwerp responsible for the Port and Personnel, Mr Marc Van Peel.

     The HKETO, Brussels, entered two boats in the races. The crew of Hong Kong Dragon comprised staff and their family members and friends. The crew of Hong Kong International Paddlers had a crew of expats and locals. Given a boost by the participation of the representative of Hong Kong at the World Customs Organization, Mr K K Li, an experienced dragon boat paddler, the Hong Kong International Paddlers made it into the final and was the second to hit the finish.

     Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam, presented the prize for the fastest team to the Antwerp Fire Brigade team, in the company of Alderman of the City of Antwerp, Mr Ludo Van Campenhout, who has responsibilities for city development, sport and diamonds.

     The Belgium-Hong Kong Society (BHKS) seized the opportunity of the event to reach out to business people by hosting a reception at the Hong Kong booth. BHKS, which also promotes cultural and youth exchanges between Belgium and Hong Kong, entered a boat that included among its paddlers a group of students from the University of Leuven.

     In Dublin, the HKETO, Brussels was for the first time the title sponsor of the Hong Kong Dublin Dragon Boat Regatta, which took place over two days. It was organised by the Irish Dragon Boat Association in conjunction with Plurabelle Paddlers and with the support of Waterways Ireland and Dublin City Council.

     Fifty-six teams took part in the races over the weekend on the Grand Canal Dock in Dublin, i.e. 28 teams on September 10 and another 28 on September 11, totalling over 1 000 enthusiasts. Up to 3 000 visitors turned up on Saturday and up to 2 000 on Sunday to watch the fun.

     Deputy Representative of the HKETO, Brussels, Mr Sam Hui, presented the prizes for the Regatta’s three categories, namely International Challenge, Novice Challenge, and Breast Cancer Survivor’s Challenge. There was also a prize for the Best Fancy Dressed Team.

     In Antwerp, visitors could get booklets and information about Hong Kong, including its many tourist attractions, at the Hong Kong booth. Visitors to the booth could win brand Hong Kong prizes by answering simple questions about Asia’s World City, or trying out their chopstick skills in the Chopsticks Challenge. They could also write and send special edition postcards showing Hong Kong’s beautiful country parks. The Chopstick Challenge also proved a great success in Dublin.

Ends/Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Issued at HKT 1:13

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Photo

A traditional lion dance enhanced the Hong Kong atmosphere in Antwerp on September 10 (Antwerp time).

The paddlers get ready for the start of the race in Antwerp on September 10 (Antwerp time).

Some of the paddlers of the two boats entered by the HKETO, Brussels and their supporters pose for a group photo in Antwerp on September 10 (Antwerp time).

Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union (EU), Ms Shirley Lam (centre) with the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the EU, Mr Victor Kalmykov, and his wife, two of the members of the diplomatic corps who attended the event on September 10 (Antwerp time).

Fifty-six teams took part in the event over two days (September 10-11, Dublin time).

Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Mr Sam Hui, addressed participants at the prize giving ceremony of the Hong Kong Dublin Dragon Boat Regatta.

Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels, Mr Sam Hui, (second row, third left) presents the prize to the winner of the Breast Cancer Survivor’s Challenge. A special tribute was paid to the victims of breast cancer.