The Confucius Institute in Sofia held a celebration for the 10th anniversary of China-Bulgaria cooperation in building the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as China's National Day, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Global Confucius Institute Day

On October 11, the Confucius Institute in Sofia held a celebration marking the 10th anniversary of China-Bulgaria cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as China’s National Day, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Global Confucius Institute Day.

More than 300 people attended the event, including: Zhang Yanbo, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria; Ning Yongpeng, Second Secretary for Science and Technology Affairs; Valentin Katrandzhiev, expert from the Diplomatic Institute of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Reneta Bozhankova, Vice-Rector of Sofia University; Gergana Petkova, Head of the Department of Classical and Modern Philology;

Vanya Bozhilova, Head of the Department of Education; Radoslav Tsonev, Head of the Department of Language and Literature at Southwest University; Nedelin Markov, Head of the Regional Development Department at Trakia University; Snezhana Todorova, Chair of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists; Momchil Stanishev, Director of the Association for the Promotion of Agricultural Cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European countries at the Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture; Irina Beleva, former Bulgarian Consul General in Shanghai; Vesela Ivanova, Principal of 101st Secondary School in Sofia; Alexander Evtimov, Principal of 138th Secondary School in Sofia; Margarita Yanakieva, Principal of Vocational High School of High Technology in Sofia; Ge Lina, Director of the China Cultural Center in Sofia; Wang Pujian, Head of the Bulgaria-China Chamber of Commerce; Chen Jian, Head of the Bulgarian Bureau of The European Times; Qi Jiayin, representative of Huawei Bulgaria; Aksiniya Koleva, Bulgarian Director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia; Chen Ying, Chinese Director of the Institute; teachers and students from various Confucius Classrooms and teaching sites affiliated to the Institute; local community members, etc.

In his speech, Counselor Zhang Yanbo emphasized the deep friendship between China and Bulgaria, expressing hope that the Confucius Institute will continue to promote Chinese language and culture, thereby contributing to mutual understanding and friendly exchanges between the two countries.

Nedelin Markov, Head of the Department of Regional Development at Trakia University, read a congratulatory letter from Miroslav Karabaliev, the university’s rector, expressing gratitude to the Confucius Institute in Sofia for its support of Chinese language education at the university.

Aksiniya Koleva, the Bulgarian Director, and Chen Ying, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, thanked all parties for their long-standing support, reviewed the Institute’s achievements, and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting Chinese language and culture in Bulgaria.

Bulgarian and Chinese students from the Confucius Classrooms and teaching sites affiliated to the Confucius Institute in Sofia—including those at 18th Secondary School in Sofia, 138th Secondary School in Sofia, Maxim Gorky Secondary School in Stara Zagora, Burgas English Language School, Southwest University, as well as Private Secondary School “Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi”, 5th Primary School in Sofia, and the Chinese Language School in Sofia (i.e. Bulgaria-China Cultural Exchange Association)— performed traditional dances, songs, paintings, poetry recitations, and musical instrument pieces from both countries, showcasing their excellent Chinese language skills and artistic talent, and earning rounds of applause from the audience.

Following the event, the Confucius Institute in Sofia presented a series of calligraphy works to its headquarters and affiliated Confucius Classrooms. These pieces were specially created to celebrate Global Confucius Institute Day by renowned calligraphers invited by the Publicity Office of the Heze Municipal Government and the Heze Calligraphers Association of Shandong Province. Focusing on Confucian thought, the works feature various styles including clerical script and cursive script, vividly showcasing the charm of Confucian culture and the art of Chinese calligraphy. This meaningful gift served as a colorful and culturally rich conclusion to the event.

Xinhua News Agency and other media reported the event.

Confucius Institute in Sofia

Text: Chen Chen

Photos: Biliana Isaeva

Editors: Chen Ying, Aksiniya Koleva

English translation: Dima Pironkova

pian1 zhong guo zhu bao jia li ya da shi guan wen hua can zan zhang yan bo zhi ci Photo 1: Zhang Yanbo, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, delivers a speech

pian2 se lei si da xue de qu fa zhan jiao yan shi zhu ren nei de lin.ma er ke fu zhi ci Photo 2: Nedelin Markov, Head of the Regional Development Department at Thrace University, delivers a speech

pian3 suo fei ya kong zi xue yuan bao fang yuan zhang a ke xi ni yaoke lie wa zhong fang yuan zhang chen ying zhi ci Photo 3: Aksiniya Koleva, Bulgarian Director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, and Chen Ying, Chinese Director, deliver speeches