Chinese kites warmly welcomed at Wind and Kite Festival in Colombia

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Chinese kites warmly welcomed at Wind and Kite Festival in Colombia

2024-08-19 15:28 Last Updated At：17:17

The 47th Wind and Kite Festival opened on Saturday in the Colombian town of Villa de Leyva, with traditional Chinese kites receiving a warm welcome and eliciting cheers from the spectators.

During the three-day event, the skies over the small town are filled with a large variety of colorful kites.

The kite festival activities are running from 09:00 to 19:00, featuring various kite-flying competitions every half an hour, inviting both professionals and kite enthusiasts to compete together.

"I'm 21 years old this year and have been making kites for about five years. I've been interested in this traditional craft since I was very young," said Christian Jimenez, a kite lover.

This year's guest of honor is China, the country that gave rise to the ancient art of kite-making which is still widely enjoyed today.

A nearly 30-meter-long Chinese dragon kite and other traditional-style Chinese kites soaring in the blue sky have wowed the audience at the kite festival.

"We have been organizing this event for over 40 years. It is fascinating. I'm very happy that you (China) have come to Colombia (to participate in the event), helping us learn more about kites. We are very grateful for China's support and everything you have brought," said another kite lover.

The Wind and Kite Festival was first launched in 1975 and has since become an annual event. It is Colombia's largest and most famous kite festival, attracting a myriad of participants every year.

Russia claims seizing one more settlement in Donetsk, Ukraine reports 97 battles in forefront

2024-11-14 10:55 Last Updated At：11:07

Russia announced on Wednesday that it seized one more settlement in the Donetsk region, while Ukraine reported 97 battles its forces engaged in against Russian forces over the past day.

According to a Wednesday report from the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian forces controlled a settlement in Rivnopil of Donetsk region. Over the past day, attacks were launched on Ukraine forces and caused deaths and injuries. Ukrainian military facilities including tanks, armored vehicles, howitzers, and ammunition depots were destroyed, according to the report, which also said Russian forces had also launched attacks on military airport and energy facilities that are essential for the functioning of Ukraine's military industry.

On the same day, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces released a battle report, claiming its forces engaged in 97 battles on the front lines against Russian forces, who were most active in the directions of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove. In the Pokrovsk direction, Russia launched 24 attacks and in the Kurakhove direction, the fighting was more severe, with 48 attacks being launched, said the report.