Duanwu festivities bring cultures together in California

The fragrance of freshly wrapped zongzi fills the air as the resonant tones of ancient bronze chimes from China's Hubei province echo through a cultural gathering in Los Angeles, where Chinese and US residents come together to celebrate the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, known in Chinese as Duanwu.

Decorated with zongzi — sticky rice dumplings — herbal sachets symbolizing blessings and other festive symbols, the venue hosted the launch ceremony for the first California Duanwu celebration on Saturday.

The festival will be observed on June 19 following a resolution adopted by the California State Assembly recognizing the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar as the inaugural Duanwu in California. The resolution notes that the festival has a history of more than 2,000 years and carries deep cultural significance.

"We traveled from the banks of the Yangtze River to Los Angeles to introduce the traditions and cultural heritage of Hubei province to California through Dragon Boat Festival celebrations," said Yu Hui, deputy general manager of a tourism development company under Hubei Cultural Tourism Group.

He described Hubei as the birthplace of Qu Yuan, the revered statesman and patriotic poet of the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), and an important cradle of Chu culture and Duanwu traditions, including dragon boat racing and the eating of zongzi.

Yu also highlighted Hubei's cultural and natural landmarks, including the Three Gorges Dam, Mount Wudang, Shennongjia National Park and Enshi Grand Canyon, inviting US travelers to experience the province's history, cuisine and cultural heritage firsthand.

People's exchanges

Immersed in the festive atmosphere, Bob Weis, former president of Walt Disney Imagineering, said cultural exchanges continue to strengthen people-to-people ties between China and the United States despite geopolitical tensions.

"I think it's great for California. There's such a strong connection between Chinese culture and the people here, and California culture," Weis said. "To have this great Dragon Boat Festival, which is so well-known across China and so important to the culture, brought here — it's great."

California has long maintained an open environment for cultural exchange, he said, adding that modern travelers are increasingly seeking authentic cultural experiences and meaningful human connections.

The official recognition of Duanwu "is more than a symbolic gesture", he said. "It reflects a growing appreciation for Chinese heritage and an understanding that cultural traditions enrich all of our communities."

Phillip Chen, the California State Assembly member who proposed the resolution, said the recognition of Dragon Boat Festival helps foster cultural understanding and strengthen bonds among the state's diverse communities.

"It's significant because it brings culture and understanding," Chen said, adding that the festival underscores the importance of bringing people together across different cultural backgrounds.

Wang Lei, president of the Jingchu Culture Foundation of America, said the California resolution incorporated the festival's Chinese name, Duanwu, directly into legislative text and explicitly referenced Qu Yuan and the festival's traditional values.

"For more than 2,000 years, the values embodied by Qu Yuan — love of country, cultural confidence, integrity and the pursuit of ideals — have inspired generations of Chinese people around the world," Wang said.

"Today, by launching the first California Duanwu Festival, we are not only celebrating a traditional holiday, but also carrying forward a cultural spirit that transcends time, geography and generations," he added.

Huang Hongjiang, deputy Chinese consul general in Los Angeles, emphasized the importance of cultural and educational exchanges between China and California.

"Our relations require not only government-to-government linkage, but also people-to-people exchanges," Huang said.

"Today's event is a good example that we are working together to deepen cultural, educational and people-to-people exchanges."