The Confucius Classroom at Ruse University, under the Confucius Institute in Sofia, Held the Ninth Chinese Culture Festival

On November 29, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Ruse University “Angel Kanchev”, the Confucius Classroom at Ruse University under the Confucius Institute in Sofia held the Ninth Chinese Culture Festival at the university’s Kaneff Centre. More than one hundred participants attended the event, including Zdravka Velikova, Deputy Mayor of Ruse; Galina Ivanova, Vice Rector of Ruse University; Yuliana Popova, Head of the Confucius Classroom at Ruse University; teachers from the Confucius Institute; teachers and students from the university; local residents.

Vice Rector Galina Ivanova stated in her speech that the Chinese Culture Festival is an important platform for promoting cultural exchange between China and Bulgaria, and she expressed the hope that such events would further enhance the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

The event consisted of two parts: Chinese cultural experience activities and artistic performances.

The cultural experience area featured various booths, including calligraphy, painting, tea art, paper-cutting, and Hanfu try-on. Interactive activities such as martial arts practice, picking up ping pong balls with chopsticks, and shuttlecock kicking were also arranged. Teachers and students from the Confucius Classroom wrote Chinese names for visitors and taught simple Chinese greetings. In addition, a charity sale offering panda pens, keychains, and other handmade crafts was held, with all proceeds donated to charitable organizations.

The cultural performances received strong support from the Association Sports Club KALAGIA of Ruse, the Freedom Dance Studio of Ruse, and the cheerleading team of Ruse University. The program included traditional Chinese dance, songs, martial arts, Tai Chi, poetry recitation, as well as traditional Bulgarian dance. Chinese and Bulgarian teachers and students joined hands to dance the traditional Bulgarian dance “horo”, bringing the atmosphere to its climax.

The Chinese Culture Festival is a long-standing signature project of the Confucius Classroom at Ruse University. By collaborating with local institutions and community organizations to hold large-scale cultural events, it continuously promotes the spread of Chinese culture and cultural exchange between China and Bulgaria. The event attracted local media attention, with media such as “Briag News” and “Ruse Info” providing coverage.

Confucius Institute in Sofia
Text and photos: Ma Wen
Editors: Chen Ying, Aksiniya Koleva, Ding Chen, Chen Chen
English translation: Dima Pironkova