The Confucius Institute in Sofia Hosted the 2025 "Talking about Culture in China, You and I" Lecture Series

On November 24, the Confucius Institute in Sofia held the 2025 "Talking about Culture in China, You and I" lecture series. The keynote speakers were: Li Huailiang, Director of the Community of Shared Future for Mankind Institute at the Communication University of China; Valentin Katrandzhiev, Senior Expert at the Diplomatic Institute of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Aksiniya Koleva, Bulgarian Director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia. More than 50 participants attended the event, including Chinese and local teachers; students from the Confucius Institute and its teaching sites; local residents. The lectures were moderated by the Bulgarian Director Aksiniya Koleva.

Professor Li Huailiang delivered a lecture titled “People-to-People Connectivity: History and Future,” in which he focused on cultural exchanges under the Belt and Road Initiative, analyzed Bulgaria’s role within it, and looked ahead to future cooperation between the two countries in trade, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, as well as education. He emphasized the importance of using diverse approaches to tell the stories of cooperation in order to enhance understanding and mutual trust.

Director Aksiniya Koleva’s lecture centered on the translation of Chinese literary works. Using Yu Hua’s novel “To Live” as an example, she explored the multiple interpretive possibilities of translating unique Chinese expressions into Bulgarian.

Valentin Katrandzhiev, Senior Expert at the Diplomatic Institute of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke on “The Role of Cultural Factors in China’s Foreign Policy—Historical and Contemporary Perspectives.” Starting with ancient Chinese ceremonial traditions, he analyzed how contemporary China conveys the concept of “harmony” through the Confucius Institutes, the Belt and Road Initiative, and other channels, and elaborated on China’s efforts and achievements in shaping the image of a peaceful and culturally rich major civilization through the use of cultural resources.

The atmosphere during the lectures was lively, with the audience actively asking questions and taking part in the discussion.

The Confucius Institute in Sofia organizes the "Talking about Culture in China, You and I" academic lecture series every year, aiming to build a platform for exchange among Bulgarian learners of Chinese language, fans of Chinese culture, and experts in Chinese studies, and to continuously promote cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and Bulgaria.

Confucius Institute in Sofia

Text: Ding Chen

Photos: Biliana Isaeva

Editors: Chen Ying, Aksiniya Koleva, Chen Chen

English translation: Dima Pironkova