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HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL |
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The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival attracts teams
of rowers from around the world.
The origin of Dragon Boat racing dates back to the fourth
century BC. At that/this time there was a minister
called Qu Yuan. Although he was much loved by the people, the
King dismissed him from his high position. Some people believed
that unfriendly government officials had had a part in this/it.
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Unhappy and lonely, he wandered around/through
the countryside writing poems about his love of the country and
its people. Finally, unable to put up with life any more, he
committed suicide by drowning himself in the Mi Lo River.
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It is said that although local
fishermen raced out in their boats, they did not manage to save
him. So, to prevent his body from being eaten by fish, they
beat the surface of the water with their oars and threw rice in the
river. |
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In Hong Kong today the death of Qu Yuan is
celebrated each/every year in the Dragon Boat Festival.
The scene of the fishermen racing out to save Qu Yuan is repeated in
the form of Dragon Boat races. |
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