Bulgarian and Chinese Directors of Confucius Institute in Sofia Visited “Maxim Gorky” Middle School in Stara Zagora and Attended Its 60th Anniversary Celebration
On October 22, 2022, according to the annual work schedule of the Chinese Language Teaching Association in Bulgarian, the Bulgarian Director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia Mrs Aksinya Koleva and the Chinese Director Prof. Liu Xiuming visited the Confucius Classroom at “Maxim Gorky” Middle School in Stara Zagora and were invited to participate in the 60th anniversary celebration of the school. The ceremony was held in the Cultural Center of the city, and the guests included the Vice President of Bulgaria Mrs Iliana Yotova, the Ambassador of Spain in Bulgaria Mr Alejandro Polanco Mata, important officials from the City Government of Stara Zagora, “Maxim Gorky” Middle School alumni, students and their parents, as well as people from all walks of life.
At 6 pm, Mrs Koleva and Prof. Liu arrived at the ceremony on time with flowers and gifts, and were warmly welcomed by the school principal, vice principal and other members of the school staff. The two directors brought flowers and a framed greeting message. The message was written in Chinese and Bulgarian and went as follows: "Mutual Respect, Great Prospects - The Confucius Institute in Sofia sincerely congratulates “Maxim Gorky” Middle School on the 60th anniversary of its establishment". Through this the Institute wanted to express its sincere greetings and best wishes to the school. The principal Mrs Mariana Pencheva expressed her warm welcome and heartfelt gratitude to the Confucius Institute directors who came to participate in this celebration.
From 6 pm to 7:30 pm, the two directors watched the special performance prepared by the school. The students, who took part in the performance, study in different language classes at the school. After the performance, Vice President Mrs Yotova delivered a speech. In her speech, she welcomed the two directors of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, and expressed her sincere gratitude to the Confucius Institute in Sofia for providing excellent teaching resources, teachers, various platforms and opportunities for Bulgarian universities, secondary and primary schools over the years. Mrs Yotova expressed affirmation and gratitude to the Institute for its outstanding contribution to Chinese language teaching in Bulgaria, and expressed her hope that both the Institute and “Maxim Gorky” Middle School will continue to support the cultural exchange and cooperation between China and Bulgaria.
Afterwards, Mrs Pencheva also delivered a speech. She welcomed warmly the arrival of the two directors of the Confucius Institute in Sofia and thanked the Confucius Institute in Sofia for supporting the Chinese language education in the school. Over the years, the Confucius Institute has sent Chinese teachers and provided the school with teaching materials, books, stationery, so that the Chinese teaching can be carried out smoothly. The school will continue to carry out Chinese teaching and various cultural activities with the support of the Confucius Institute in Sofia.
In addition to participating in the school's 60th anniversary celebration, Mrs Koleva and prof. Liu also visited the Confucius Classroom at “Maxim Gorky” Middle School. Thus, not only did they play a huge role in the Chinese Language Teaching Association in Bulgarian and expressed the Confucius Institute's friendship and support for the members of the Association, but also promoted the Confucius Institute in Sofia and increased its popularity in the city of Stara Zagora and Bulgarian society as a whole.
