Pakistan: Traditional Basant Kite Festival Returns to Lahore After Past Safety Bans

The ancient Basant festival returned to the streets of Lahore for the first time in nearly two decades, marking the arrival of spring with traditional kite flying. The event was banned in 2007 following years of fatalities and injuries caused by sharp kite strings, falls from rooftops, and aerial firing.

Pakistan: Traditional Basant Kite Festival Returns to Lahore After Past Safety Bans 2

The ancient Basant festival returned to the streets of Lahore for the first time in nearly two decades, marking the arrival of spring with traditional kite flying. The event was banned in 2007 following years of fatalities and injuries caused by sharp kite strings, falls from rooftops, and aerial firing.

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Athletes compete in the Men's Kite class on day eleven of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Marseille Marina on August 06, 2024 in Marseille, France. Photo by Patrick Aventurier/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Athletes compete in the Men's Kite class on day eleven of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Marseille Marina on August 06, 2024 in Marseille, France. Photo by Patrick Aventurier/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Athletes compete in the Men's Kite class on day eleven of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Marseille Marina on August 06, 2024 in Marseille, France. Photo by Patrick Aventurier/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Athletes compete in the Men's Kite class on day eleven of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Marseille Marina on August 06, 2024 in Marseille, France. Photo by Patrick Aventurier/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Athletes compete in the Men's Kite class on day eleven of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Marseille Marina on August 06, 2024 in Marseille, France. Photo by Patrick Aventurier/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Athletes compete in the Men's Kite class on day eleven of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Marseille Marina on August 06, 2024 in Marseille, France. Photo by Patrick Aventurier/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Athletes compete in the Men's Kite class on day eleven of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Marseille Marina on August 06, 2024 in Marseille, France. Photo by Patrick Aventurier/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Athletes compete in the Men's Kite class on day eleven of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Marseille Marina on August 06, 2024 in Marseille, France. Photo by Patrick Aventurier/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Athletes compete in the Men's Kite class on day eleven of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Marseille Marina on August 06, 2024 in Marseille, France. Photo by Patrick Aventurier/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Athletes compete in the Men's Kite class on day eleven of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Marseille Marina on August 06, 2024 in Marseille, France. Photo by Patrick Aventurier/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Athletes compete in the Men's Kite class on day eleven of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Marseille Marina on August 06, 2024 in Marseille, France. Photo by Patrick Aventurier/ABACAPRESS.COM

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Paris 2024 - Kite Sailing Competition

Athletes compete in the Men's Kite class on day eleven of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Marseille Marina on August 06, 2024 in Marseille, France. Photo by Patrick Aventurier/ABACAPRESS.COM

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

ZAOZHUANG, CHINA - JUNE 2, 2024 - Contestants fly kites during the first Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province, June 2, 2024.

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

ZAOZHUANG, CHINA - JUNE 2, 2024 - Contestants fly kites during the first Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province, June 2, 2024.

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

ZAOZHUANG, CHINA - JUNE 2, 2024 - Contestants fly kites during the first Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province, June 2, 2024.

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

ZAOZHUANG, CHINA - JUNE 2, 2024 - Contestants fly kites during the first Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province, June 2, 2024.

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

ZAOZHUANG, CHINA - JUNE 2, 2024 - Contestants fly kites during the first Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province, June 2, 2024.

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

ZAOZHUANG, CHINA - JUNE 2, 2024 - Contestants fly kites during the first Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province, June 2, 2024.

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

ZAOZHUANG, CHINA - JUNE 2, 2024 - Contestants fly kites during the first Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province, June 2, 2024.

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

ZAOZHUANG, CHINA - JUNE 2, 2024 - Contestants fly kites during the first Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province, June 2, 2024.

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

ZAOZHUANG, CHINA - JUNE 2, 2024 - Contestants fly kites during the first Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province, June 2, 2024.

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

ZAOZHUANG, CHINA - JUNE 2, 2024 - Contestants fly kites during the first Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province, June 2, 2024.

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

ZAOZHUANG, CHINA - JUNE 2, 2024 - Contestants fly kites during the first Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province, June 2, 2024.

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

First Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang

ZAOZHUANG, CHINA - JUNE 2, 2024 - Contestants fly kites during the first Shandong Provincial Open Kite Competition in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province, June 2, 2024.

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People attend the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A dragon-shaped kite is pictured during the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People attend the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

#CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

#CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Competitors attend a kite flying competition during the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Photo by Sun Shubao/Xinhua)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People try to fly a phoenix-shaped kite during the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People try to fly a train-shaped kite during the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People attend the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

#CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

#CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tourists take selfies during the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Photo by Sun Shubao/Xinhua)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A whale-shaped kite is pictured during the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

#CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

#CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tourists fly kites during the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Photo by Sun Shubao/Xinhua)

Annual DFW Dragon Boat Festival returns to Irving, Texas

STORY: Annual DFW Dragon Boat Festival returns to Irving, Texas DATELINE: Oct. 4, 2022 LENGTH: 0:02:25 LOCATION: DALLAS, U.S. CATEGORY: CULTURE/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of people flying kites 2. various of stage performance 3. various of dragon boat competition STORYLINE: The 13th Dallas-Fort Worth Dragon Boat, Kite, and Lantern Festival was held in Texas, the U.S. on Sunday. Hosted by Marco Polo World Foundation, this festival aims to showcase and celebrate multicultural arts and sports. It's part of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. Besides the exciting dragon boat races, the festival also features kite and lantern making, food, music, martial arts, and dance. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Dallas, U.S. (XHTV)