The Launch Event for the Chinese Edition of “101 Paintings from Bulgaria” Was Held at the Confucius Institute in Sofia

On October 16, the launch event for the Chinese translation of “101 Paintings from Bulgaria” was held at the Confucius Institute in Sofia. The event was attended by: Zhang Yanbo, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria; Yang Tian, Head of the Education Department at the Embassy; Eleonora Lilova, Director of the Sofia City Education Department at the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science; Georgi Valchev, Rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”; Roumiana Preshlenova, Director of the Balkan Studies Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; Ding Hao, Vice Rector of Beijing Foreign Studies University; Liu Xiaocheng, Deputy Director of the Confucius Institute Office at BFSU; Dong Xixiao, Vice Dean of the European Language and Culture Institute at BFSU; Snezhana Todorova, Chair of the Bulgarian Journalists Association; Ge Lina, Director of the Chinese Cultural Center in Sofia; Aksiniya Koleva, Bulgarian Director of Confucius Institute in Sofia; Chen Ying, Chinese Director of the Institute; nearly 200 teachers and students from various Confucius Classrooms affiliated with the Confucius Institute in Sofia.

Counselor Zhang Yanbo stated in her speech that the book uses Chinese paper-cutting art as a medium to showcase Bulgaria’s cultural treasures, serving as a vivid embodiment of the “Global Civilization Initiative.¹” Georgi Valchev, Rector of Sofia University, expressed appreciation for the collaborative publication between China and Bulgaria and looked forward to using this as a starting point for more academic exchanges in the future. Ding Hao, Vice Rector of Beijing Foreign Studies University, pointed out that the exhibited book represents a fusion of historical fragments and artistic inspiration, serving as a concrete practice of deep cultural dialogue between China and Bulgaria, with hopes for more outstanding works to be launched in the future. Rumiyana Preshlenova, Director of the Balkan Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, briefly introduced the main content and cultural value of the book.

The guests and audience at the event watched the introduction video of the book together and visited the Confucius Institute exhibition hall to view paper-cut art pieces of some historical sites featured in the new book.

“101 Paintings from Bulgaria” is the first Bulgarian cultural-themed book jointly translated and published by the Confucius Institute in Sofia and the Balkan Studies Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences after signing a cooperation agreement. The book is funded by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science’s national scientific project "Development and Consolidation of Bulgarian Studies Abroad”. It presents the text in both Bulgarian and Chinese, accompanied by 101 paper-cut artworks of the landmarks created by Chinese young artist Wang Lijun. The Bulgarian edition of the book received widespread acclaim upon publication, and an English translation had been published earlier. The newly released Chinese edition is the second foreign language version of the book. This is also the first book showcasing Bulgarian art through the Chinese intangible cultural heritage art of paper-cutting.

Xinhua News Agency and other media reported on this event.

Confucius Institute in Sofia

Text: Chen Chen

Photos: Biliana Isaeva

Editors: Chen Ying, Aksiniya Koleva

English translation: Dima Pironkova

Photo 1: Zhang Yanbo, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, delivered a speech

Photo 2: Georgi Valchev, Rector of Sofia University, delivered a speech

Photo 3: Ding Hao, Vice Rector of Beijing Foreign Studies University, delivered a speech

Photo 4: Rumiyana Preshlenova, Director of the Balkan Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, introduced the book

Photo 5: Confucius Institute exhibition hall

¹The Global Civilization Initiative is a diplomatic proposal introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2023. It aims to foster mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation among the world's diverse civilizations, promoting a more inclusive and harmonious global order.