Confucius Institute in Sofia Hosted "Chinese Culture · Chinese Science and Technology Day” Event

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 11, the Confucius Institute in Sofia held the “Chinese Culture · Chinese Science and Technology” Day event at the No. 18 Middle School in Sofia, which has a Confucius Classroom. Nearly 300 people attended the event, including Yang Tian, Head of Educational Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, Ning Yongpeng, Head of the Science and Technology Section of Embassy, Aksiniya Koleva, Bulgarian Director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, and Liu Xiuming, the Chinese Director, Borian Yanev, Vice Rector of Plovdiv University, Professor Dong Yuanxing, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at Veliko Tarnovo University, Yu Cheng from the Chinese Cultural Center in Sofia, and Velichka Stoycheva, Principal of No. 18 Middle School, Radina Mladenova and Lazar Pavlov - Vice-Principals, Maria Boncheva, Principal of Foreign Language High School in Montana and Larisa Lazarova, Vice-Principal, Marian Draganov, Xinhua News Agency reporter, Cai Chun, Economic Daily reporter as well as teachers, students and their parents, Chinese language learners, Chinese culture enthusiasts and local people.

The “Chinese Culture · Chinese Science and Technology Day” event consisted of an opening ceremony, artistic performance, cultural workshop, technological products display and Chinese cars test drive. At the opening ceremony, Aksiniya Koleva, the Bulgarian Director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, Liu Xiuming, the Chinese Director, and Velichka Stoycheva, the principal of No. 18 Middle School, delivered speeches.

In their speech, the two directors clarified the idea, significance and purpose of the event, and expressed their gratitude to the organizers of the event: the Chinese Language Exchange and Cooperation Center, the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, and the Chinese-funded enterprises in Bulgaria, for their strong support. “This event aims to promote Chinese culture, while at the same time, it incorporates Chinese technological elements, organically combining traditional culture and modern technology, letting local people understand traditional Chinese culture while also experience the rapid changes in modern China. Through participants’ own experience, the event expands the influence of Chinese culture and Chinese science and technology, and strengthens the social image of the Confucius Institute and some technology companies in Bulgaria. " It is hoped that through the activities, "we will attract more people to pay attention to China and the development of Confucius Institutes; we will promote Chinese culture, people-to-people and cultural exchange, as well as build a platform for Chinese-Bulgarian cooperation in education, scientific research, economy, diplomacy, etc. At the same time, we hope to give full play to our own advantages, unite with Chinese-funded enterprises in Bulgaria, concentrate our efforts and complement each other's advantages and finally with joint efforts spread Chinese culture and serve the local people”.

In the cultural performance section, there was kungfu fan, Chinese dance and Chinese musical instrument performances prepared by Chinese teachers and volunteers of the Confucius Institute in Sofia. There were also Chinese songs, Chinese stick skills performance, Peking opera, Bulgarian traditional dances, etc. performed by students from CIS teaching sites. In addition, the viewers could also enjoy Chinese drum and jinghu (the “violin” of the Beijing opera) ensemble, Chinese and Bulgarian songs and martial arts performances presented by international students from the National Academy of Music in Sofia. Finally, under the guidance of students from No. 18 Middle School, the audience danced a traditional Bulgarian dance together. The atmosphere was lively and enthusiastic, with lots of laughter and joy. The colorful artistic performances won applause from the audience. Chinese people sang Bulgarian songs in Bulgarian and danced Bulgarian dances, while Bulgarian people sang Chinese songs in Chinese and danced Chinese dances. Chinese and Bulgarian songs and dances complement each other, realizing a two-way exchange between Chinese and Bulgarian culture. This highlights the motto “Appreciate the culture and values of others as do to one's own, and the world will become a harmonious whole”.

The Chinese culture and technology workshops consisted of two parts: the first was a cultural workshop led by Confucius Institute teachers and volunteers. It included experiencing the following: Chinese drums, Chinese musical instruments (Chinese flute dizi, Chinese mandolin liuqin, Chinese zither guqin, Chinese clay flute xun, etc.), Chinese calligraphy, Chinese knot making, tea art, Chinese paper cutting, hoop games, Chinese national clothing try-on, Kungfu fan, Chinese shuttlecock games, etc. The content and format of the workshops were novel and unique, and the participants felt fully engaged, gained a lot, and were very happy.

The second part was a science and technology workshop, including a test drive of new Dongfeng and Haval series cars made in China and a rally with car models. Different types of the latest Dongfeng and Haval cars displayed at the school’s yard attracted many visitors to stop and watch, test drive and experience them. While the workshop was going on, there were also three rounds of lucky draw held on that day. Each round included 5 first prizes, 5 second prizes and 5 third prizes. The first prize was a drone, the second prize was a Chinese-style notebook, and the third prize was a Chinese fan. Everyone actively participated in the lucky draw, which made the atmosphere at the event livelier and fun.

Confucius Institute in Sofia

Text: Li Mengxia

Photos: Huang Jun, Zhang Xiaorong, Petya Shukerska

Editors: Liu Xiuming, Aksiniya Koleva, Liu Tianchao

English translation: Dima Pironkova

1.1 Photo 1 The guests at the event