Chinese Culture Festival – Marco Polo Cup Dragon Boat Race

The 2025 edition of the Chinese Culture Festival took place on Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21 at the EUR Lake, in Rome's Municipio IX, with the theme of 55 years of friendship between Italy and China.

The highlight was the second edition of the Marco Polo Cup Dragon Boat Race: eight Chinese crews from across Europe challenged six Italian teams, joined by two formations representing Chinese institutions abroad. Along the Viale Oceania promenade, national dance performances, traditional Chinese music, theater, and wushu demonstrations took place, while the market offered ceramics, calligraphy, and the art of tea. Food stalls served steamed dumplings, fried rice, and traditional sweets. Among the most photographed guests was Enzo, the celebratory robot chosen as a symbol of the meeting between innovation and tradition.

The event was organized by the International Federation of the Chinese Community in Rome with the patronage of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Italy, the Metropolitan City, and Municipio IX Rome EUR, with free admission.