The Kite Association of Qingtian County in Lishui, Zhejiang province, was invited on Sept 4 to participate in the 6th Florence Chinese Dragon Boat Race. The association will display a striking dragon kite to demonstrate traditional Chinese culture overseas.

Stretching 100 meters in length, the dragon kite is crafted with advanced luminous materials, creating impressive visual effects both during the day and at night. It has been carefully disassembled and packed in custom-made cases to ensure its safe transportation to Italy.

The disassembled kite. [Photo/WeChat account: qingtianfabu]

The 6th Florence Chinese Dragon Boat Race will be held Sept 6 and 7 and will have traditional dragon boat races, lion and dragon dances, kite flying performances, and other cultural and sports activities with distinctive Chinese characteristics. The association will bring four or five Chinese dragon-themed kites to the event.

Qingtian's kite flying custom was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in sports in 2013, with a previous kite flying event held in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2010.

The kite soars in the sky. [Photo/WeChat account: qingtianfabu]

After the event in Florence, the association will visit Chinese schools in Brussels, Belgium, and Prague, the Czech Republic, to bring kite-making techniques and flying skills to the campus, promoting traditional Chinese culture among overseas students.