The 2024 Washington DC Dragon Boat Festival celebrated its 21st anniversary on May 18, overcoming challenges posed by unfavorable weather. Hosted by the Taiwan-US Cultural Association (TUSCA), the festival welcomed approximately 1,300 athletes from 51 teams. The event, held on the Potomac River near the Thompson Boat Center, included 10 teams from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO). Participants ranged from local Chinese schools and businesses to community associations and boat clubs, all competing in a series of dragon boat races that highlighted teamwork and the strong cultural ties between Taiwan and the United States.
Ambassador Alexander Tah-Ray Yui of TECRO and his wife attended the opening ceremony, joined by distinguished guests from U.S. federal, state, and municipal agencies, as well as members of the diplomatic community. These included Kristin Kane, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Global Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of State; Ingrid Larson, Executive Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT); Slovak Ambassador to the U.S., Yaroslav Javorčík; Czech Ambassador to the U.S., Miloslav Stašek; and Maryland State Senators Susan Lee and Clarence Lam. The ceremony commenced with the traditional eye-dotting of the dragons and a ribbon-cutting, marking the official start of the races.
Despite the rain, the paddlers raced with unwavering determination, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd. The festival also showcased Taiwanese cultural handicraft and tourism exhibitions, supported by volunteers from the Formosa Association of Student Cultural Ambassadors (FASCA DC), Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning (TCML), and Hakka Association in Washington Metropolitan Area (HAWMA). These exhibitions fostered multicultural exchanges and showcased the rich tapestry of Taiwanese culture.
Dr. Eugenia Henry, the director of TUSCA, was interviewed by major news outlets, including ABC 7 News, emphasizing the festival’s importance as a platform for promoting Taiwanese culture and fostering international friendships.
The Washington DC Dragon Boat Festival continues to demonstrate how cultural events can unite people, celebrating the enduring bonds between Taiwan and the United States.
