The Confucius Classroom At the University of Rousse Under the Confucius Institute In Sofia Have Organised the Celebration Of the 75th Anniversary Of the Establishment Of Diplomatic Relations Between China and Bulgaria And the 8th Chinese Cultural Festival

From 29th to 30th November 2024, the Confucius Classroom at the University Of Ruse under the Confucius Institute in Sofia, have celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bulgaria and the 8th Chinese Cultural Festival. Mr Pencho Milkov - the Mayor of Ruse, Mr Hristo Beloev - the Chairman of the City Council of Ruse and an Honorary Rector of the University of Ruse, Mrs Rositsa Georgieva - Director of the Ruse Regional Department of Education, Mrs Desislava Atanasova, vice-Rector of the University of Ruse, Mrs Galina Ivanova – vice Rector of the University Of Ruse, Mr Yang Tian - Head of the Educational Department at the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, Mrs Aksiniya Koleva – the Bulgarian director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, Prof.Chen Ying - the Chinese director of the CIS, teachers from the Confucius Institute and local people - more than a hundred people have attended the event.

The event has taken place in two days on end starting, with the opening ceremony of the China Photo Exhibition on 29th November. Fifteen pictures of gardens from different provinces of China have been displayed in the central hall of the University of Ruse showing the local people the beauty of Chinese gardens in terms of habitat, creative concepts and art ambience. Teachers and students from the Confucius Classroom have prepared performances of songs, dances, folk music, tea ceremony, etc., and have played with traditional Chinese and Bulgarian musical instruments. They have won the applause of the audience.

On 30th November 2024, the Confucius Classroom at the University of Ruse have prepared a cultural performance and a Chinese cultural experience. The performance was supported by the Kalagia Association Sports Club, the University of Ruse cheerleaders and local teachers and students, who have presented Chinese martial arts, songs and dances, poetry recitation and so on to the audience. Different booths have been set up for Chinese cultural experience activities, such as calligraphy, painting, tea ceremony, face masks painting and special souvenirs. Teachers and students from the Confucius Classroom have also styled the hair of the children attending the event. They have demonstrated the art of tiehuadian (traditional facial make-up art), and have taught the visitors Chinese greetings. The event has also partnered with a local foundation to raise money to help more families in need.
The event has been covered by the Bulgarian National Television 2.
Since its establishment, the Confucius Classroom at the University of Ruse have offered various Chinese language and culture courses at all language levels and have organised cultural activities in cooperation with relevant departments of the Ruse Municipality, public schools and private institutions, which activities have been warmly welcomed by the local people.
Confucius Institute in Sofia

Text: Liu Xiaolin
Photos: Liu Xiaolin
Editors: Prof. Chen Ying, Aksiniya Koleva, Chen Chen
English translation: Maya Kostadinova

Picture 1. China Photo Exhibition.

Picture 2. Group photo at the China Photo Exhibition.

Picture 3. A band of traditional and modern string instruments.

Picture 4. The calligraphy booth.

Picture 5. The face painting booth.

Picture 6. The Big Fish dance

Picture 7. The Knight In Shining Armour dance

Picture 8. The curtain-raising song The Hottest Ethnic Dance

Picture 9. A group photo of some of the guests and performers

Picture 10. Confucius Classroom students being interviewed.