On August 17, Kazan residents and visitors will enjoy an unusual and vivid spectacle – competitions on Chinese Dragon boats. All visitors to the Nizhny Kaban Lake embankment will be able to watch the races absolutely free of charge. This year, the Dragon Cup will be held as part of the III The International Forum "SPROUTS: Russia and China – mutually beneficial cooperation."
"Every year, the cultural programme of the SPROUTS forum is enriched with new events. The Chinese boat race will not only be a spectacular event, thanks to which residents of Kazan will be able to touch the culture of the Celestial Empire. Such competitions demonstrate the integration of cultures and mutual interest, strengthening business ties,” said Taliya Minullina, Head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency.
At the moment, 16 teams from companies and agencies have applied for the race, including “Megastroy”, “Korib”, “AVTOKAMA”, “PSB”, “Setevaya Kompaniya” (Network Company), the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Tatarstan and others. Any company can apply for participation by 1 August 2025, after that, the team must find a canoe boat and decorate it in a bright Chinese style.
Chinese Dragon boat competition is one of the most beautiful and significant festivals in China, symbolising team spirit, the continuity of traditions, and the striving to achieve common goals.
The festival has been celebrated for over two thousand years and is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. This is the fourth time the festival has been held in Kazan.
The number of participants and teams is increasing every year, and the competition is growing. 11 teams participated in the first competition, and 16 teams participated in the second year, and in the third – 24. This year, the organisers expect that there will be no less than last year.
«Competitions for the third year in a row takes place with the support of the General Consul of the PRC in Kazan Mr. Xiang Bo. Chinese Dragon boat competition considered a national sport in China; it is very popular there. Our competitions are, first of all, not about sports, but about friendship with China. The competition also includes a cultural programme, which will feature master classes from Chinese students, national dances, the game of Go, and more," said the executive director of the Federation of Rowing on Kayaks and Canoes of the Republic of Tatarstan, the chief judge of the competition Alexander Vasilyev.
Races are held on boats, on the nose of which the head of a dragon, on the stern – its tail are attached. In the vessel there are a drummer who sets the pace and rhythm of movement, ten rowers and a helmsman on the karm, who monitors the course. In each team according to the rules there must be one woman. Six boats will participate in each race. The winner is the boat that crosses the finish line first.
For more information and the forum programme, please visit: https://russiachinaforum.com
The operator for the preparation and holding of the SPROUTS Forum is ANO Directorate of International Programmes.
"Every year, the cultural programme of the SPROUTS forum is enriched with new events. The Chinese boat race will not only be a spectacular event, thanks to which residents of Kazan will be able to touch the culture of the Celestial Empire. Such competitions demonstrate the integration of cultures and mutual interest, strengthening business ties,” said Taliya Minullina, Head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency.
At the moment, 16 teams from companies and agencies have applied for the race, including “Megastroy”, “Korib”, “AVTOKAMA”, “PSB”, “Setevaya Kompaniya” (Network Company), the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Tatarstan and others. Any company can apply for participation by 1 August 2025, after that, the team must find a canoe boat and decorate it in a bright Chinese style.
Chinese Dragon boat competition is one of the most beautiful and significant festivals in China, symbolising team spirit, the continuity of traditions, and the striving to achieve common goals.
The festival has been celebrated for over two thousand years and is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. This is the fourth time the festival has been held in Kazan.
The number of participants and teams is increasing every year, and the competition is growing. 11 teams participated in the first competition, and 16 teams participated in the second year, and in the third – 24. This year, the organisers expect that there will be no less than last year.
«Competitions for the third year in a row takes place with the support of the General Consul of the PRC in Kazan Mr. Xiang Bo. Chinese Dragon boat competition considered a national sport in China; it is very popular there. Our competitions are, first of all, not about sports, but about friendship with China. The competition also includes a cultural programme, which will feature master classes from Chinese students, national dances, the game of Go, and more," said the executive director of the Federation of Rowing on Kayaks and Canoes of the Republic of Tatarstan, the chief judge of the competition Alexander Vasilyev.
Races are held on boats, on the nose of which the head of a dragon, on the stern – its tail are attached. In the vessel there are a drummer who sets the pace and rhythm of movement, ten rowers and a helmsman on the karm, who monitors the course. In each team according to the rules there must be one woman. Six boats will participate in each race. The winner is the boat that crosses the finish line first.
For more information and the forum programme, please visit: https://russiachinaforum.com
The operator for the preparation and holding of the SPROUTS Forum is ANO Directorate of International Programmes.