Confucius Institute in Sofia Participated in Sofia International Book Fair

From December 6 to 12, the Sofia International Book Fair was held on floors 1 to 4 at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, Bulgaria. The book fair brought together more than 400 publishers, distribution companies and teaching institutions from all over the world. The Confucius Institute in Sofia was invited to participate in the event as a Chinese teaching institution, while Foreign Teaching and Research Press (FLTRP) participated as a publishing company.


Yan Jianqun, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, accompanied by Mrs. Dai Ying, interpreter at the embassy, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Professor Liu Xiuming, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, attended the opening ceremony on behalf of the Institute. After the opening ceremony, Mr. Yan and Mrs. Dai came to the booths of the Confucius Institute and FLTRP. Mr. Yan fully affirmed the positive efforts made by the Confucius Institute and FLTRP in spreading Chinese language and promoting Chinese culture. He expressed his hope that the Confucius Institute will continue to contribute to promoting cultural exchange, enhancing non-governmental cooperation, deepening the friendship between the two countries, and enhancing the international image. Prof. Liu thanked the embassy for its strong support for the Confucius Institute in Sofia in promoting Chinese teaching and culture, and showed Mr. Yan the newly published "The 15th Anniversary Album of the Confucius Institute in Sofia". Prof. Liu also introduced the development and gratifying achievements of the Confucius Institute in Sofia. Mrs. Zhang Renhuizi, a teacher at the Institute, and other teachers and staff were on duty during the exhibition, introducing the textbooks of the Confucius Institute and other books related to Chinese culture to the visitors.


During the 7-day book fair, the booth of the Confucius Institute in Sofia was crowded with people, attracting a large number of visitors who are interested in Chinese culture, including news media, sinologists, translators, local Chinese people, teachers and students from the Sinology departments at different universities, teachers and students and their parents from Confucius Classrooms and Confucius Institute teaching sites, artists, fans of Chinese language and Chinese medicine, bloggers, etc. Many people learned about the Confucius Institute in Sofia through the book fair, hoping to experience Chinese language and culture at the Confucius Institute, enhance their understanding of China, and broaden their horizons.


This event enhanced the understanding of Bulgarians interested in Sinology and Chinese culture about China and books about traditional Chinese culture. In addition, the event further presented and promoted the Confucius Institute in Sofia to the outside world in a positive way, expanded its influence in the local area, and facilitated cultural exchange and cooperation between China and Bulgaria.

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Photo 1 Minister Counselor Yan Jianqun visited the booth of the Confucius Institute in Sofia

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Photo 2 Prof. Liu Xiuming is showing "The 15th Anniversary Album of the Confucius Institute in Sofia"

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Photo 3 Volunteer teacher Mrs. Zhang Renhuizi is introducing the Confucius Institute booth to visitors

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Photo 4 The booth of the Confucius Institute in Sofia

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Photo 5 Visitors were truly interested in the Chinese textbooks

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Photo 6 The booth of the Confucius Institute attracted a lot of visitors who stopped by and looked at the books


Confucius Institute in Sofia
Text: Liu Xiuming
Photos: Liu Xiuming
Editors: Liu Xiuming, Liu Tianchao