The Confucius Institute in Sofia Signed a Cooperation Agreement with the “Blossom 1870” Community Center in Vidin

On October 29, Aksiniya Koleva, the Bulgarian Director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, and Chen Ying, the Chinese Director, met with Lyubomir Iliev, Chief Secretary and legal representative of the “Blossom 1870” Community Center in Vidin, at the Confucius Institute’s affiliated teaching site — “Tsar Simeon the Great” Secondary School in Vidin. The two sides exchanged views on cooperation in areas such as Chinese language teaching, cultural activities, etc.

Chief Secretary Lyubomir Iliev introduced the development history and core activities of the Comminity Center, expressing the hope to cooperate with the Confucius Institute in carrying out Chinese language and culture teaching for the general public in Vidin. The Bulgarian and Chinese directors introduced the achievements of the Confucius Institute in Sofia in Chinese language teaching, organizing cultural activities, and facilitating cultural exchange between China and Bulgaria. They also put forward specific suggestions to use “Tsar Simeon the Great” Secondary School as the city’s base for Chinese language teaching and to further expand the reach of Chinese language education in Vidin.

After the meeting, the two sides signed a cooperation agreement. The Confucius Institute’s affiliated teaching site at “Tsar Simeon the Great” Secondary School will provide Chinese language teachers, while the Institute will supply teaching materials, in this way Chinese language and culture courses will be open for the residents of the Vidin community. The first Chinese class at the Community Center will officially begin in early November. The regional influence of the Confucius Institute’s teaching site will thus be further strengthened, providing a new platform for local residents to learn Chinese and understand Chinese culture.

Since its founding 155 years ago, the “Blossom 1870” Community Center has been the oldest cultural and educational institution in the city. Its activities cover art education, foreign language instruction, cultural exchange, etc. The center is dedicated to promoting public education and preserving Bulgaria’s history and culture.

Confucius Institute in Sofia

Text: Yang Xiaolan

Photos: Chen Ying

Editors: Chen Ying, Aksiniya Koleva, Ding Chen, Chen Chen

English translation: Dima Pironkova

Photo 1 The two parties signed the cooperation agreement

Photo 2 Group photo