An actor playing Qu Yuan

An actor playing Qu Yuan, a patriot poet during the Warring State Period (475-221 BC), performs during a poets gathering in Zigui County of Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, June 20, 2012. The Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month on the lunar calendar, is believed to be designed to commemorate the death of Qu Yuan. As the festival draws near, local scholars and students gathered in Qu Yuan's hometown, Zigui County, on Wednesday to celebrate the upcoming festival. 

Actresses recite poets

Actresses recite poets in a poets gathering in memory of Qu Yuan, a patriot poet during the Warring State Period (475-221 BC), in Zigui County of Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, June 20, 2012. The Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month on the lunar calendar, is believed to be designed to commemorate the death of Qu Yuan. As the festival draws near, local scholars and students gathered in Qu Yuan's hometown, Zigui County, on Wednesday to celebrate the upcoming festival.

Students read poets

Students read poets written by Qu Yuan, a patriot poet during the Warring State Period (475-221 BC), during a poets gathering in Zigui County of Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, June 20, 2012. The Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month on the lunar calendar, is believed to be designed to commemorate the death of Qu Yuan. As the festival draws near, local scholars and students gathered in Qu Yuan's hometown, Zigui County, on Wednesday to celebrate the upcoming festival.