Englishman Charles Thirlwell remembered for his contributions, grandson competes in boat race to preserve and promote cultural heritage
By Kim Bo-eun
HONG KONG ― The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the year according to the lunar calendar. Dragon boat races are held on this holiday across the mainland, and also in Hong Kong.
The annual festival took place on June 3 this year after two years of cancellations, due to the coronavirus pandemic. While Stanley Beach in the south of Hong Kong Island and the traditional fishing village of Tai O on Lantau Island were among the main locations of boat races, some races also took place at Chai Wan on the east end of Hong Kong Island.
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| Gabriel Sit talks about training for the dragon boat race at Chai Wan, June 3, where races were held marking the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival holiday. Korea Times photo by Kim Bo-eun |
Gabriel Sit, a 31-year-old medical doctor who took part in the races in Chai Wan, said that the event means more than training, thrills and fun.
"When I joined about five to six years ago, I felt very welcome ― partly because some of the seniors here rowing for a long time were friends of my grandfather, who also rowed," Sit said.
Sit is the grandson of the late Charles Thirlwell, who is known for his contributions to local fishing communities, including one in Chai Wan. Thirlwell set up the Chai Wan Fishermen's Recreation Club in the 1960s, where gatherings of the people in the fishing community would take place for games and socializing.
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| Professor Steve Ching, the former director of the library of the City University of Hong Kong, introduces the Chai Wan Fishermen's Recreational Club at its site on June 3. Ching conducts research on lighthouses in the region as part of efforts to preserve local cultural heritage. Korea Times photo by Kim Bo-eun |
"Local fishermen did not receive much education and did not have much status, but Thirlwell helped integrate them into society," said Professor Steve Ching, former director of the library of the City University of Hong Kong, who has been conducting research on lighthouses in the region as part of efforts to preserve local cultural heritage.
Thirlwell is also acknowledged for his efforts to preserve and promote China's dragon boat races.
"In the 1960s and 1970s, the fishing community did not have sponsors for boat races but Charles helped connect with the government to apply for funds," Chai Wan Fishermen's Recreation Club Chairman Wong Kan Chai, who knew the late Thirlwell since 1964, said.
The Englishman also took his rowing team to Australia, Japan and Taiwan in the 1970s, which helped dragon boat racing get status as an international event. Major local news outlets have recorded the contributions of Thirlwell.
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| Rowers are seen on a dragon boat in Chai Wan on June 3, where races were held. Korea Times photo by Kim Bo-eun |
Now most people on Sit's rowing team are no longer relying on the sea for their living, but still have a connection to the recreation club ― such as their father or grandfather having been a fisherman in the community.
Sit said that despite working at Tuen Mun Hospital, which is about an hour away from Chai Wan, he makes sure that he gets there for training in the evenings.
"We all come from different walks of life, but when we train, we just train and enjoy the fun of the sport. It's a sport that requires a lot of energy and is a good way to relieve stress," he said, adding that he hopes to be able to train more to join this year's racing season.
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| Zongzi, or rice dumplings steamed in bamboo or reed leaves, are served at a local restaurant on June 3. The Chinese traditionally have zongzi on the day of the dragon boat festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the year according to the lunar calendar. Korea Times photo by Kim Bo-eun |
When the people heard of Qu's death, they rushed out in boats in an attempt to save him ― this event is explained as the origin of the dragon boat race. But when the people were unable to find him, they threw lumps of rice into the water to prevent the fish from feeding on his body and that is said to be the reason why the Chinese eat zongzi ― rice dumplings steamed in bamboo or reed leaves ― on the day of the dragon boat festival.
