On 10 June 2026, we will mark the United Nations’ “International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations”.

To thoroughly implement the Global Civilization Initiative, support the overseas promotion of the “Nihao! China” national tourism identity, and further deepen cultural and tourism exchanges between China and the UK, the China National Tourists Office (CNTO) London will curate and host a series of themed events celebrating the “International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations” across multiple locations in the UK throughout June 2026.

This series of events encompasses diverse formats, including dance flash mobs, dragon boat cultural exchanges, the Duanwu Dragon Boat Festival, art lectures, and the Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival. Using culture as a bridge and tourism as a medium, the events aim to showcase the charm of fine traditional Chinese culture, promote mutual learning between Chinese and British civilizations, and foster closer bonds between their peoples.

The event schedule is detailed below:

1. “Meeting the Grand Canal” Dance Flash Mob Performance at Camden Market, London

Time: 14:00 and 16:00, 9 June 2026

Location:

• First Session: Hawley Wharf canalside (NW1 8QH)
• Second Session: Stables Market, Amphitheatre (NW1 8AH)

Event Highlights:
The lead dancers of “Meeting the Grand Canal” from the Hangzhou Opera and Dance Drama Theatre will appear at Camden Market in London, delivering a dance flash mob performance filled with Eastern charm by the canalside.

The performers will improvise their dance in harmony with the local space, using body language to tell the story of the Grand Canal’s millennial cultural heritage. They will also engage in immersive interactions with the audience, allowing Chinese culture to flow naturally through the streets of London.

“Meeting the Grand Canal” is China’s first dance drama themed around the communication of cultural heritage. With the protection of the Grand Canal’s history and culture as its core storyline, it presents the canal’s thousands of years of history and cultural inheritance through four acts: “Digging”, “Prosperity”, “Oblivion”, and “Re-encountering the Canal”.

2. 2026 “In the Same Boat, Mutual Learning Among Civilizations” China-UK Dragon Boat Cultural Exchange Conference

Host: China National Tourists Office (CNTO) London

Co-organisers: People’s Daily Online UK, Xinhua Chinese Association, British Dragon Boat Association

Time: 18:00–20:00, 12 June 2026

Location: The Lowry, Salford, Manchester M50 3AZ

Event Highlights:
Centred around traditional Chinese and British folk culture, the event will feature a welcome reception, guest speeches, a special exchange on dragon boat culture, the sharing of experiences from dragon boat activities, a themed dinner discussion, and open networking.

Through the dragon boat, an iconic symbol of traditional Chinese culture, the event will build a platform for deep communication between cultural and tourism professionals and culture enthusiasts from both nations, driving folk culture to radiate new vitality through mutual exchange and learning.

3. 2026 UK Chinese Duanwu Dragon Boat Festival

Time: 11:00, 13 June 2026

Location: The Lowry Plaza & Huron Basin, MediaCityUK, Salford, Manchester M50 3AZ

Event Highlights:
Dragon boats for the Duanwu Festival carry the memories of traditional Chinese folk customs, while connecting the joint participation of overseas Chinese communities and local residents.

Centred on Duanwu dragon boat culture, dancers from the Hangzhou Opera and Dance Drama Theatre’s “Meeting the Grand Canal” will appear at the opening ceremony to deliver a special cultural performance. This will add vibrant Chinese cultural elements to the UK-wide Dragon Boat Festival grand gathering, showcasing the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture to the British public.

4. International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations: “Meeting the Grand Canal” Lecture and Performance

Time: 12:00, 15 June 2026

Location: Stage One, Campus Theatre, University of Leeds

Event Highlights:
Tailored for university staff and students, this event will unfold through the screening of the official promotional video of “Meeting the Grand Canal”, performances of classic excerpts from the dance drama, and panel discussions.

The creative team will engage in face-to-face exchanges with students and faculty from the School of Creative Arts at the University of Leeds to share the creative concepts behind the production, ideas on cultural heritage communication, and experiences in the integrated innovation of Chinese and Western arts, thereby driving artistic and cultural dialogue among Chinese and foreign youth.

5. “Nihao! China” 2026 Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival

Time: 20 June 2026

Location: Jesus Green & River Cam, Cambridge, UK

Event Highlights:
This event is hosted by the Cambridge Chinese Community Centre, supported by CNTO London, and deeply integrates the “Nihao! China” national tourism identity logo.

With “Dialogue · Kindred Spirits (‘Zhiyin’)” as its core theme, echoing the purpose of the United Nations’ “International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations”, the event combines dragon boat racing, traditional Chinese folk customs, and cultural tourism showcases. It creates a platform for dialogue between Chinese and British civilizations that integrates sporting spirit, cultural expression, and shared values.

By the banks of the River Cam, the dragon boat race is not only a competition but also an encounter of culture, friendship, and understanding.

Building a Bridge of Culture to Tell China’s Story to the World

The establishment of the United Nations’ “International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations” aims to promote equal dialogue and mutual learning among different civilizations, injecting cultural strength into global peace and development.

In June 2026, CNTO London will take this series of themed events as an opportunity to present the diverse facets of Chinese culture across multiple locations in the UK. This will continuously deepen cultural exchanges between China and the UK, allowing more British people to approach, understand, and experience China through participation, experience, and interaction.

Civilizations are colourful due to exchange, and enriched by mutual learning.

We look forward to meeting friends from all walks of life at the events.