On Saturday, 13 September 2025, on the occasion of Physical Culture and Sports Day, a friendly dragon boat racing competition took place on Trukhaniv Island. The event was organised by the Directorate-General for Rendering Services to Diplomatic Missions. Among the participants, together with their families, were the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kyrgyzstan (Idris Kadyrkulov), Mexico (Audencio Contreras González), Montenegro (Borjanka Simićević), employees of the embassies of Czechia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and the Honorary Consul of Iceland in Kyiv, Kostiantyn Malovanyi, who is also the president of the Mala Flotyliia sports club. Alongside the foreign diplomats, the event also brought together Ukrainian government officials: representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, including Deputy Minister Yevhen Perebyinis, First Deputy State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Oleksandr Yarema, as well as civil society representatives, entrepreneurs and GDIP partners. Participants learned to steer dragon boats under the expert guidance of Ihor Semenko, a member of the Ukrainian dragon boat team and Director of the Mala Flotyliia sports club.
A dragon boat is a large multi-seat boat with a dragon’s head and tail. The history of dragon boat racing goes back more than 2,000 years into Chinese tradition. Initially, it was a ritual ceremony during the celebration of Dragon Boat Festival — a symbolic holiday associated with the worship of water spirits and the hope for an abundant harvest. Over time, the ritual turned into a kind of sport that became very popular in Asia.
Traditionally, competitions or rides on a standard boat involve a crew of up to 20 rowers, with a drummer sitting at the head of the dragon and a helmsperson at the tail. The drummer sets the rhythm, and the rowers work their paddles in sync, keeping pace. Races are held over distances ranging from 200 to 2000 metres among men’s, women’s and mixed teams.
Today, dragon boat racing is rapidly developing across the globe: thousands of annual competitions bring together hundreds of teams from many countries, and the sport is now included in the programme of the World Games.
Dragon boating has also gained popularity in Ukraine. The first national dragon boat championship took place in May 2005. Over the past 20 years, Ukraine’s national teams have consistently won prizes and titles at international competitions. A striking example of Ukrainians’ resilience and team spirit was their performance at the World Dragon Boat Racing Championship held in Pattaya, Thailand, on 10 August 2023. When a wave caused by competitors flooded the Ukrainian dragon boat, our athletes put a brave face on that, raised their paddles, and confidently completed the entire course. By the way, Ihor Semenenko was among the paddlers on that team. A video of this race went viral online and gained enormous popularity. Watch the clip here: https://youtu.be/-l-dhZ-P8t8?si=WxMG9JMddThxe_Pp
After the friendly dragon boat competition, the participants visited the GDIP Sports and Diplomatic Club, where they had the opportunity to try their hand at archery, enjoy a ride in a vintage car around Trukhaniv Island, and share their impressions of dragon boating.
Idris Kadyrkulov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kyrgyzstan to Ukraine:
‘Dear colleagues, allow me once again to thank the GDIP team, led by Mr Pavlo Kryvonos, for the unforgettable impressions, the unique format of every event, and your unfailing care. We are always with you, and thanks to this, our stay in Ukraine remains comfortable despite the current difficult situation.’
Audencio Contreras González, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mexico to Ukraine:
‘My sincere thanks for the wonderful opportunity to be here. This is my first time enjoying this beautiful area, the lake, and the nature here in Kyiv. It is a perfect place for leisure, especially on weekends, and I am grateful to GDIP for providing such an occasion. It is an excellent chance to relax with friends and family while also connecting with colleagues.’
Andrija Đuranović, Deputy Head of Mission of Montenegro to Ukraine:
‘It was a great event. First of all, I am glad that my team won — we were faster than the other crew. Secondly, this kind of activity really inspires everyone to work as a team and make an effort. As diplomats, we often enjoy a very comfortable life — receptions, staying in five-star hotels, being driven in sedans and so on and so forth. But sometimes we need to remind ourselves that effort and the ability to work together are essential in life. And I don’t want to be negative in light of all recent events, but I think that teamwork among diplomats, as well as across the whole country, is very important. Today’s event was a great example of that, and I’d be happy to take part again.’
Ivan Galat, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Czechia in Ukraine:
‘We paddled in dragon boats, and there was a sense of unity not only in rowing but also in diplomacy. This special spirit brings a lot of positive energy: you relax alongside people who may surpass you in certain ways, but you still remain one team. It is fascinating to hear the stories of all of them. I am very grateful to GDIP for the opportunity to take part and, of course, to Mr Kryvonos for his boundless energy and such initiatives.’
Oleksandr Yarema, First Deputy State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine:
‘This was my first experience rowing a dragon boat. It’s an incredible feeling of teamwork when people gather early in the morning, especially on the Day of Physical Culture and Sports, to challenge themselves and spend time together. A truly positive experience that deserves to be expanded into more frequent events.’
Volodymyr Kucherenko, Director General of Ukrvinprom:
‘I am grateful to the GDIP team for inviting me to today’s event. It is unique, and this was my first experience. Joint work is extremely important: not just words, but action. […] Nowadays, it is essential to keep the rhythm, nurture team spirit, and always continue working together for victory.’
