PHNOM PENH, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Crowds of spectators on Thursday gathered along the riverfront here in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, as oarsmen kicked off exhilarating dragon boat races to celebrate the centuries-old water festival.
More than one hundred pairs of dragon boats are racing from the Chroy Changvar Bridge down the Tonle Sap River to the finish line in front of the Royal Palace in a 1.7 km distance.
Dressed in a T-shirt, Phe Sinan, a 45-year-old boatman from southeastern Kampong Cham province, expressed his excitement at attending the festival.
"This is my first time participating in the regatta in the capital Phnom Penh," Sinan, on a team of 72 oarsmen, shared. "I take part in this water festival because I want to bring victory to my village."
Sinan explained that the water festival is a Cambodian tradition that has been observed since ancient times to honor the marine forces.
"It is also to express our gratitude to the Mekong River for giving us water, fertile land and abundant fish," he said.
The water festival is one of the most joyful festivals in the Southeast Asian country, as hundreds of thousands of rural people flock to the capital every year to enjoy the regatta, which is the centerpiece of the three-day festival.
Chhen Bopha, a 21-year-old spectator from the distant northeastern Stung Treng province, said it was the first time she had come to Phnom Penh to enjoy the festival with her family.
"I really like this joyful water festival because it is a Cambodian tradition and it makes spectators feel relaxed and ease stress," she told Xinhua. "For this water festival, it's good to help preserve Cambodian cultural heritage."
Bou Chumserey, vice chairman of the boat-racing technical control committee, said this year's water festival is the biggest ever, with 348 boats and 22,052 oarsmen from different provinces taking part in the regatta, an increase from last year's 337 boats and 20,417 crew members.
Chumserey attributed the growth to peace, socio-economic development, and improved livelihoods, saying the regatta's tribute to the powerful Khmer marine forces during the ancient Khmer Empire in the late 11th century.
During the reign of Angkorian King Jayavarman VII, the king used naval forces, with boats as transport means, to fight against the invading enemies and defeated them in 1181.
"It is also to mark the end of the annual rainy season and the unique reversal flow of the Tonle Sap River that connects the Tonle Sap Lake with the Mekong River," he added.
Besides daytime boat races, festival-goers can enjoy the parade of illuminated floats, each representing a government ministry, and fireworks as well as concerts at nighttime.
The festival will last until Saturday.
With its glorious history, the Water Festival is a special occasion for rural people to visit the capital city and bring back home with good memories to share with their neighbors.■