On May 31, 2025, to celebrate the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, the Confucius Institute at Middle East Technical University successfully held a cultural and sports event themed "Deep Affection for Dragon Boat Festival · Fun Sports Games" on ODTÜ HALI SAHA 1. Forty students from the Chinese elective courses participated actively, immersing themselves in the festive atmosphere while experiencing the spirit of teamwork and positive sportsmanship.

The event began with a graceful Tai Chi performance by Chinese international student Xie Wanqing, showcasing the unique charm of Chinese traditional culture embodied in the balance of stillness and movement, softness and strength. Following this, Chinese elective student Merve Didem Arslan delivered a powerful and crisp Tai Chi sword demonstration, earning warm applause from the audience.

The fun sports event featured activities such as shuttlecock kicking, pottery throwing, and a "Three-Legged" relay race, blending traditional cultural elements with competitive excitement in an innovative and entertaining format. The students were randomly divided into four teams — Green, Blue, Orange, and Pink — competing in a lively and relaxed atmosphere.

During the shuttlecock kicking competition, team members took turns showing off their skills, striving to keep the shuttlecock airborne, filling the field with laughter and cheers. The pottery throwing event allowed students to experience an ancient traditional sport once enjoyed by Chinese scholars, as participants focused carefully and successfully hit the target with twig-made "feathered arrows," drawing enthusiastic applause. Despite a sudden downpour during the "Three-Legged" relay race, the students maintained high spirits and persevered, completing the race successfully and bringing the event to an exciting climax. The whole activity fully demonstrated the students' courageous, resilient, and fighting sports spirit, earning sincere admiration.

The competition was scored cumulatively, with points awarded based on rankings in each round. Prizes for first, second, third, and fourth places were presented by the Confucius Institute director and faculty members to the winning teams.

This Dragon Boat Festival fun sports event aimed to help students understand the customs and significance of the festival through diverse and engaging activities, allowing them to appreciate the unique charm of Chinese culture. The event not only enhanced communication and cooperation among students but also deepened their understanding and recognition of traditional Chinese festivals and cultural values. The Confucius Institute at Middle East Technical University will continue to promote cultural exchange between China and Türkiye by offering a variety of cultural experiences, building a bridge for friendly interaction among young people from both countries.