Taiwan: Dragon Boat Festival celebrations chart course for unity and diversity

At Lightsource bp, we pride ourselves on being a global company that values and respects the diverse backgrounds and cultures of our employees. We believe that embracing diversity is not only essential for a thriving workplace but also crucial for fostering a sense of belonging and promoting inclusivity and equity.

VIBES – Volunteering, Inclusivity, Belonging, Equality and Society – is our programme to safeguard and nurture our culture. It works year-round to help us drive diversity and inclusion, as well as belonging and wellbeing throughout Lightsource bp. One way we celebrate and honour different cultures is through recognising a range of cultural festivals.

Ancient tradition

Dragon Boat Festival is an ancient traditional holiday with deep historical and cultural roots. This date falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar and was chosen to commemorate the legendary poet and statesman, Qu Yuan, who lived during the Warring States period in ancient China. The festival’s main elements—now popular the world over—are racing long, narrow wooden boats decorated with dragons and eating zongzi.

Recently in Taiwan, our Lightsource bp team celebrated the Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival. As an initiative from our VIBES committee, we gave out “zongzi” — sticky-rice balls wrapped in bamboo leaves – to Taiwan teammates prior to the Festival as a small token of our appreciation for their hard work.

Bin Fu, our Country Manager in Taiwan, highlighted the sense of unity and teamwork of Dragon Boat Festival. He said, “Dragon Boat Festival is not just about the exhilarating races; it symbolises collaboration and unity. The synchronised paddling and collective effort required to navigate the dragon boats reflect the spirit of working together towards a common goal.”

Penny Lo, our Senior Business Development Manager in Taiwan shared how Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Taiwan. “Beyond the races, we engage in traditional rituals to ward off evil spirits, such as hanging up pouches of herbs and wearing colourful silk threads. It’s a time to pay homage to our cultural heritage.” At Lightsource bp, we place a strong emphasis on our people. We believe that our employees are our most valuable asset, and their well-being and happiness are of utmost importance. By promoting a people-centric culture, we ensure that every employee feels heard, supported, and empowered to contribute their best. This approach not only fosters a positive work environment but also cultivates a sense of belonging and unity among our diverse team.