Chinese Painting Experience Event Was Held at “Petar Bogdan” Foreign Language High School, under the Confucius Institute in Sofia

On December 10, “Petar Bogdan” Foreign Language High School in Montana, a teaching site under the Confucius Institute in Sofia, held a Chinese painting experience event. Nearly 20 people participated, including government-sponsored Chinese-language teachers and primary school students.

The teacher first introduced the categories of Chinese painting, its artistic features, and brushwork techniques, guiding students to appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese painting through classic works. In the section on flower-and-bird painting, teachers and students admired works by Bada Shanren, a renowned painter from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. In the figure-painting section, “The Portrait of Emperor Taizong Receiving the Tibetan Envoy”¹ by Tang Dynasty painter Yan Liben sparked strong interest among the students, who eagerly asked questions about the clothing and postures of the figures in the painting.

The event then moved into the hands-on segment. Under the teacher’s guidance, students learned how to paint plum blossoms—practicing brush strokes, drawing branches, and adding blossoms—experiencing firsthand the variations of ink tones. They observed one another’s work and shared their creative ideas, which created a lively atmosphere at the event.

This event is part of the school’s “Chinese Culture Corner” series and has opened a window for students to experience Chinese aesthetics and culture. It was warmly received by the local students.

Confucius Institute in Sofia

Text and photos: Wang Ruping

Editors: Chen Ying, Aksiniya Koleva, Ding Chen, Chen Chen

English translation: Dima Pironkova

¹ The literal meaning of the painting is “Painting of the Imperial Walking Carriage”, but the standard English translation is “The Portrait of Emperor Taizong Receiving the Tibetan Envoy”.