China Cultural Center in Berlin celebrated the Dragon Boat Festival on June 19 with a series of engaging activities that brought Chinese traditions to life for local participants. Through language and cooking classes, the center fostered cross-cultural exchange and a deeper appreciation of this ancient festival.
In the children's Mandarin class, young learners explored the festival's origins and customs—such as dragon boat racing, eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), and hanging mugwort. Chinese language teacher Lou Linshan shared handmade zongzi and aromatic sachets, creating a festive atmosphere. A fun quiz and paper-folding craft session helped the children remember key cultural symbols, while they also practiced writing Chinese characters like "Dragon Boat Festival" in an interactive, joyful setting.
The cooking workshop, a signature program at the center, drew great enthusiasm. Chef Xiang Sanhong introduced diverse regional food traditions and demonstrated two classic Sichuan dishes—twice-cooked pork and dry-fried green beans. The highlight was the hands-on zongzi-making session, where participants folded leaves, filled them with glutinous rice and fillings, and tied them into bundles under the chef's guidance. Though many were first-timers, their excitement and teamwork filled the room with laughter.
After the class, everyone sat together to taste the dishes and their homemade zongzi, sharing reflections on the cultural meanings behind the food. Many took their creations home to share with family, spreading the festive spirit beyond the center.
Through this immersive blend of storytelling, hands-on practice, and culinary art, the event built bridges of friendship and mutual understanding. It showcased how cultural heritage can transcend borders, enriching the bond between China and Germany through shared experiences and warm hospitality.
