The Confucius Institute In Sofia Has Been Invited To Participate In the Bulgarian Dragon Boat Cultural Festival

For two consecutive days - June 29th to June 30th 2024, in response to an invitation by the organizers, the Confucius Institute in Sofia has taken part in the Dragon Boat Cultural Festival which has been organised by the Sofia Municipality in coorepation with the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Dragon Boat Association. Mr Tsoncho Ganev - the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Bulgaria, Mr Ilin Dimitrov - the Secretary for Cultural Affairs, Mr Ivan Goichev - the Deputy Mayor of Sofia, Mrs Dai Qingli - the Ambassador of China in Bulgaria, Mr Ma Fengsheng - the Vice-Chairman of the Political Consultative Council Of the Qinghai Province, and up to 500 Chinese expats and visitors, have attended the festival.
The two-day-event has featured dragon boat races, cultural performances, food tasting, and a culture-and-art bazaar. A total of 32 teams with nearly 500 members have participated in the dragon boat race. On the other side of the lakeside lawn, numerous stage performances and the culture-and-art bazaar have attracted almost 10.000 visitors. Students from the Confucius Institute in Sofia have presented the Chinese songs named Childhood and A Fairy Tale on stage. Both performances have been applauded enthusiastically by the audience. The teachers of the Confucius Institute have set up an elaborate cultural experience workshop. Moreover, in addition to the traditional Chinese arts such as calligraphy, paper-cutting, Chinese knots, tea ceremony, face masks painting, etc., additional interesting activities such as shuttlecock kicking, Chinese language learning and trying on traditional clothes, have also been demonstrated. These all have attracted the audience to stop by and to experience the Chinese culture.
The event has added colour to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bulgaria.It has also been one of the series of events commemorating the International Chinese Language Day 2024, showcasing the charm of the Chinese language and culture and further enhancing the influence of the Confucius Institute in Sofia in the region.
Confucius Institute in Sofia
Text: Chen Chen
Photos: Biliana Isaeva
Editors: Prof Chen Ying, Aksiniya Koleva
English translation: Maya Kostadinova

Picture 1. Singing the A Fairytale Chinese song.

Picture 2. Singing the Childhood Chinese Song.

Picture 3. Experiencing calligraphy.

Picture 4. Tasting Chinese tea.

Picture 5. Learning Chinese.

Picture 6. A group photo featuring staff members of the Confucius Institute in Sofia.