時光飛逝，仲夏將至。每逢此時，華人最為重視的節日便是農曆五月初五的端午節。端午節的起源可以追溯至古代中國，是為了紀念偉大的愛國詩人屈原。唐代文秀《端午》詩中寫道：「節分端午自誰言，萬古傳聞為屈原。」屈原曾在這一天為捍衛自己的政治理想與愛國精神而投江自盡。傳說他自沉後，楚國百姓紛紛湧到汨羅江邊施救，漁夫們駕舟，其他百姓則投粽子和雄黃酒到江里以保護屈原。儘管時光已過千年，人們仍在端午節進行各種民俗活動來紀念這位偉大的詩人。
Time flies, and midsummer is approaching. During this time, the most significant festival for Chinese people is the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. The origin of the Dragon Boat Festival can be traced back to ancient China and is meant to commemorate the great patriotic poet Qu Yuan. As stated in the Tang Dynasty poet Wen Xiu’s poem “Dragon Boat Festival”: “Who speaks of the Dragon Boat Festival? The legend of Qu Yuan has been passed down for millennia.” Qu Yuan drowned himself on this day to defend his political ideals and patriotic spirit. According to legend, after his death, the people of Chu rushed to the Miluo River to rescue him. Fishermen rowed their boats, and other people threw rice dumplings and realgar wine into the river to protect Qu Yuan from being harmed by fish. Although thousands of years have passed, people still engage in various folk activities during the Dragon Boat Festival to commemorate this great poet.
今年的六月九日，位於英國南部的南安普敦華人協會舉辦了一場端午節包粽樂暨聯歡活動，接近百人參與其中，場面熱鬧非凡。活動開始，熱鬧的包粽子環節吸引了許多家庭的參與。點心師傅現場示範，長者們也分享了他們多年的包粽心得，傳授了獨家秘方。男女老少齊聚一堂，有說有笑，歡聲笑語充滿了整個會場。
On June 9th this year, the Chinese Association of Southampton in southern England organized a Dragon Boat Festival dumpling-making and celebration event, with nearly a hundred people participating, creating a lively atmosphere. The event began with a bustling dumpling-making session that attracted many families. A pastry chef demonstrated on-site, and the elders shared their years of dumpling-making experience, passing down their unique recipes. Men and women, young and old, gathered together, chatting and laughing, filling the venue with joy and laughter.
孩子們也積極參與其中，儘管包粽子的手法尚不嫻熟，但在家長和師傅的指導下，他們小心翼翼地包著粽子，臉上洋溢著自豪的笑容。這不僅是手工技藝的傳承，更是一次家庭溫馨時光的重現。看著一個個精緻的粽子成型，大家的心裡都充滿了滿足感和成就感。
Children also actively participated. Although their dumpling-making skills were not yet proficient, under the guidance of parents and chefs, they carefully wrapped the dumplings, their faces beaming with pride. This was not only a transmission of handcraft skills but also a recreation of warm family moments. Watching each delicate dumpling take shape, everyone’s hearts were filled with satisfaction and a sense of achievement.
古有曲水流觴，今有詩詞誦讀。伴隨著清涼黏糯的淡淡粽香，仰輝書院的學子們身著漢服，為南安華協會員奉獻了一次古詩詞誦讀盛宴。雖是第一次登台誦讀，孩子們卻分外沉著，毫不怯場。他們不僅吐字清晰，發音標準，聲調抑頓挫，而且情緒非常飽滿激昂。在場的觀眾們毫不吝惜地給了一次又一次的熱烈掌聲。
In ancient times, people floated wine cups on winding streams; today, we recite poetry. Accompanied by the faint fragrance of the sticky rice dumplings, students from Yanghui Academy, dressed in traditional Han clothing, presented a grand recitation of ancient poetry for the Chinese Association of Southampton members. Although it was their first time on stage, the children were exceptionally composed and showed no signs of stage fright. Their enunciation was clear, pronunciation standard, tone varied, and their emotions were very full and enthusiastic. The audience generously gave rounds of warm applause.
腹有詩書氣自華。透過這次活動展示，孩子們不僅再次切身體味到中華民族傳統文化的精髓與其韻律之美，更是鍛鍊了膽量，提升了氣質，變得更加自信開朗與從容大方。
A well-read mind exudes its own elegance. Through this performance, the children not only deeply experienced the essence and rhythmic beauty of traditional Chinese culture but also honed their courage, enhanced their demeanor, and became more confident, cheerful, and poised.
晚餐時間到了，大家一起享受著自己親手包的粽子。濃濃的粽香和笑聲，使得整個會場彷彿變成了一個大家庭。無論是遠道而來的留學生，或是在此定居多年的華人華裔，都在這溫馨的氛圍中找到了家的感覺。大家互相分享家鄉的故事和美食的記憶，感受到了久違的親情和溫暖。
As dinner time arrived, everyone enjoyed the dumplings they had made themselves. The rich fragrance of the dumplings mingled with laughter, transforming the entire venue into a big family. Whether they were students from afar or long-settled Chinese residents, everyone found a sense of home in this warm atmosphere. They shared stories and culinary memories from their hometowns, feeling a long-lost sense of kinship and warmth.
這次活動不僅是對端午傳統文化的傳承與弘揚，更是對社區團結和諧的展現。在海外，華人透過這樣的傳統節慶活動，不僅找回了故鄉的味道，更找回了心靈的歸屬感。南安華協的這次端午節慶祝活動，為英國南安的華人搭建了一個溫馨的文化橋樑，也讓更多的年輕一代在學習中了解、在了解中傳承中華文化的精華。南安華協將舉辦更多類似的活動，讓中華文化在海外繼續發揚光大，生生不息。
This event was not only a transmission and promotion of the traditional culture of the Dragon Boat Festival but also a demonstration of community unity and harmony. Overseas, through such traditional festival activities, Chinese people not only rediscovered the taste of their homeland but also found a sense of belonging in their hearts. This Dragon Boat Festival celebration by the Chinese Association of Southampton provided a warm cultural bridge for the Chinese in Southampton, UK, and allowed more young people to understand and inherit the essence of Chinese culture through learning. The Chinese Association of Southampton will organize more similar events, allowing Chinese culture to continue to flourish overseas, endlessly.
感謝協會委員和義工們的辛勤付出，也感激廣大會員的支持，使大家共同度過了一個愉快的端午節。
We are grateful to the committee members and volunteers for their hard work, and to the members for their support, which allowed everyone to enjoy a delightful Dragon Boat Festival together.
南安華協慶端午，粽香飄逸滿城馥。 歡聲笑語齊相聚，齊心融洽慶佳節。
The Chinese Association of Southampton celebrates the Dragon Boat Festival; the fragrance of rice dumplings fills the city. With laughter and joy, we gather to celebrate this festive occasion in harmony.
南安華協黃會長
CAS Chair Michael Ng