As Dragon Boat Festival approaches, the overseas celebration of this traditional Chinese festival recently took place at the Port of Badalona in Spain.

Over 1,000 guests, including local dignitaries, business leaders, overseas Chinese, and international friends, gathered to witness this cultural spectacle.

Qingtian county in Lishui, East China's Zhejiang province is the hometown of over 381,000 overseas Chinese across more than 146 countries and regions. And Qingtian's Dragon Boat Festival is an intangible cultural heritage item.

"This dragon boat cultural event, now in its seventh year, has become a renowned cultural icon," said Zhou Jianhong, president of the Qingtian Association in Barcelona, Spain.

Six dragon boat teams from China and Spain competed fiercely in three groups, slicing through the azure waters. The rhythmic drumbeats and synchronized paddling created a thrilling spectacle, while the shores echoed with the cheers of thousands of spectators, both Chinese and international.

A dragon boat team gears up to compete with other teams at the Port of Badalona in Spain. [Photo/Tide News]

To bring a taste of home to overseas Chinese, zongzi, a traditional Chinese delicacy made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves for Dragon Boat Festival, were distributed at the event. Local Chinese also handed out boiled red eggs in colorful woven bags to wish them good luck.

Looking ahead, the 2025 Qingtian Dragon Boat Cultural Event will be held from May 27 to 31 in Chuanliao town in Qingtian. Zhou plans to bring seven Spaniards to experience unique charms of Qingtian's Dragon Boat Festival.