Posted 2019/9/28
A photo exhibition titled "Confucius Institute -- a bridge between two cultures" demonstrates Chinese traditional games, arts and calligraphy, tea tasting and music programs were some of the festive events held in the Bulgarian capital.
At the opening ceremony in the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski," its Rector Prof. Ivan Ilchev recalled that the Confucius Institute in Sofia was the first in the region of Southeast Europe, and over the years it has managed to become an effective tool of the Bulgarian-Chinese cultural and scientific cooperation.
Ilchev said that currently the Confucius Institute in Sofia is building a new building, which will be 15 times larger than the current one, and expressed his confidence that it will be opened on the eve of the next school year.
Prof. Ge Zhiqiang, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, said the promotion of Chinese language and culture will help deepen the good relations between the two peoples.
Mo Yan, a Chinese writer and Nobel Prize laureate for literature who was s special guest of the ceremony, said Confucius Institute can be seen as a bridge between cultures and peoples around the world and China, but also as a bridge for genuine friendship between China and peoples of the world.
Congratulating the leadership of the Confucius Institute in Sofia and the Sofia University on the major successes achieved in recent years, Mo half jokingly said when he returns to Beijing, he will speak to the Confucius Institute Headquarters, and ask for more money to support Sofia branch. It caused the audience laughing and applauding.
