East meets West
FISH & DRAGON FESTIVAL DAZZLES WITH CULTURAL FUSION
All the booths attracted attention.(Photos by: STT)
The performers’ attire was eyecatching.
Chinese heritage was on display.
In a spectacular display of cross-cultural harmony, the 11th annual Fish & Dragon Festival transformed Wildey Gymnasium into a vibrant tapestry of Chinese and Barbadian traditions on Sunday.
As the Year of the Snake slithered in, thousands of attendees were treated to a sensory feast of acrobatics, music, and culinary delights, showcasing the best of both worlds in an unforgettable celebration.
The mix of culture was evident on entry with the strains of tuk band music filling the air as the gymnasium floor buzzed with activity. Adding to the excitement were high-energy games of road and table tennis. Curiosity was high with each eclectic booth attracting long lines as attendees meandered their way through the network of stalls.
Among those showcasing their creations were visual artist Neville Legall. Festivalgoers also lined up eagerly to have their names written in Chinese characters, while on the periphery food enthusiasts indulged in an array of Bajan and Chinese delicacies, which included offerings from Yelluh Meat.
Patrons enjoyed the colourful spectacle of the Chinese Dragon Dance, a vibrant and dynamic tradition deeply rooted in Chinese culture. The dancers moved lithely across the stage, skillfully manoeuvring to create varied designs. In addition, there were performances by the Taiji Wushu Association, the Chinese medical team and members of the Confucius Instituteof the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus.
Complementing the Chinese performances was a soca stint by Leadpipe and Saddis, who excited the crowd with their popularhits.
The 11th edition saw the return of the highly anticipated segment which features a troupe. Those in attendance eyes were transfixed on the stage, held in awe by the Zhejiang Wu Opera Troupe from China. Their hour-long performance featured intricately designed costumes and impressive acrobatics.
The characters came to life with each movement. Gasps of amazement filled the room as children and adults alike were captivated by their storytelling. English narrative displayed on screens set at either side of the stage ensured the audience followed along easily. Highlights included the ‘Monkey Man’, whose tricks delighted onlookers.
This year’s production took on a different format. Dr Ché Corbin explained: “This year’s performance at the Fish and Dragon Festival 2025 has the difference that they have no announcer.
“They are just letting the performance and the music speak for itself and let that be a non-lingual language which then I suppose would help to cross boundaries.”
Dr Corbin conceded: “Maybe not everybody can manage it for the whole time, but I think they will be able to catch a vibe without being told.”
An audience member, UWI student Tobi Thompson, told Barbados TODAY: “The fusion of Barbadian and Chinese cultures was an interesting spectacle to witness. The performances were entertaining and exhilarating. I marvelled at the performers’ beautifully crafted costumes, and their movements were equally skilled and graceful. The most anticipated performance for me was the advertised opera troupe and it exceeded my expectations. This year I was once again happy to be in attendance as I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.” (STT)
As the Year of the Snake slithered in, thousands of attendees were treated to a sensory feast of acrobatics, music, and culinary delights, showcasing the best of both worlds in an unforgettable celebration.
The mix of culture was evident on entry with the strains of tuk band music filling the air as the gymnasium floor buzzed with activity. Adding to the excitement were high-energy games of road and table tennis. Curiosity was high with each eclectic booth attracting long lines as attendees meandered their way through the network of stalls.
Among those showcasing their creations were visual artist Neville Legall. Festivalgoers also lined up eagerly to have their names written in Chinese characters, while on the periphery food enthusiasts indulged in an array of Bajan and Chinese delicacies, which included offerings from Yelluh Meat.
Patrons enjoyed the colourful spectacle of the Chinese Dragon Dance, a vibrant and dynamic tradition deeply rooted in Chinese culture. The dancers moved lithely across the stage, skillfully manoeuvring to create varied designs. In addition, there were performances by the Taiji Wushu Association, the Chinese medical team and members of the Confucius Instituteof the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus.
Complementing the Chinese performances was a soca stint by Leadpipe and Saddis, who excited the crowd with their popularhits.
The 11th edition saw the return of the highly anticipated segment which features a troupe. Those in attendance eyes were transfixed on the stage, held in awe by the Zhejiang Wu Opera Troupe from China. Their hour-long performance featured intricately designed costumes and impressive acrobatics.
The characters came to life with each movement. Gasps of amazement filled the room as children and adults alike were captivated by their storytelling. English narrative displayed on screens set at either side of the stage ensured the audience followed along easily. Highlights included the ‘Monkey Man’, whose tricks delighted onlookers.
This year’s production took on a different format. Dr Ché Corbin explained: “This year’s performance at the Fish and Dragon Festival 2025 has the difference that they have no announcer.
“They are just letting the performance and the music speak for itself and let that be a non-lingual language which then I suppose would help to cross boundaries.”
Dr Corbin conceded: “Maybe not everybody can manage it for the whole time, but I think they will be able to catch a vibe without being told.”
An audience member, UWI student Tobi Thompson, told Barbados TODAY: “The fusion of Barbadian and Chinese cultures was an interesting spectacle to witness. The performances were entertaining and exhilarating. I marvelled at the performers’ beautifully crafted costumes, and their movements were equally skilled and graceful. The most anticipated performance for me was the advertised opera troupe and it exceeded my expectations. This year I was once again happy to be in attendance as I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.” (STT)