On the afternoon of October 1, 2014, the Confucius Institute (CI) at the University of Bucharest (UB) joined hands with teachers and students from the COLEGIUL ECONOMICA.D.XENOPOL Middle School and Maria Kinder kids kindergarten, Romania to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

For these festivities, teachers of CI at UB were divided into two groups. The first group, led by Prof. Xue Xiaojian, the Chinese co-director of CI at UB, came to the Maria Kinder kids kindergarten to mark the special occasion with over 60 children from around the world. To draw the children's attention, the teachers specifically designed some interesting games, like the Song of Health, paper-cutting, etc. These joyous games offered them a good opportunity to introduce knowledge about traditional Chinese culture to their adorable little audience, such as China's National day, the National Flag of China, Chinese knot, Chinese lantern, etc., which not only deepened their understanding about China, but also helped them gain insight into the value of Chinese culture. Moreover cutting vivid paper images like the Tiananmen Square or a swimming fish furthered their appreciation of Chinese culture.

The other group, headed by Prof. Luminita Baila, the foreign co-director of CI at UB, came to the COLEGIUL ECONOMIC A.D.XENOPOL Middle School to observe the festival with its hosts. The Confucius Institute previously established a Chinese-teaching class at that Middle School. It is a great honor for the two organizers to invite Ms. Huo Yuzhen, the Chinese ambassador in Romania, to attend the celebration. Accompanied by the staff of CI at UB, Ambassador Huo Yuzhen visited the Chinese culture exhibits arranged by the staff of the two sponsors, including the model of Chinese dumplings, Chinese tea art and a miniature of the Great Wall. Shortly afterward, amidst a graceful recitation of Chinese poems by the Chinese learners in the school, the performances started. A girl student from a Romanian high school staged a traditional Chinese fan dance, garnering universal applause from the spectators. In the next episode, the director of the Middle School and Ambassador Huo Yuzhen delivered speeches. The Ambassador praised CI at UB for its dedicated efforts in successfully setting up and runing the Chinese class, and expressed her hope that the Institution would further its excellent role in popularizing Chinese culture in the local society.

As a bridge between China and Romania, CI at UB not only strengthens the relationship between the two countries by teaching Chinese to the locals and organizing colorful cultural activities, but also showcases and spreads Chinese culture among Romanian people. All those gathered wished a most sincere blessing for the Motherland’s 65th birthday.

Staff of CI at UB introduced Chinese paper cutting to the children

Staff of CI at UB guided the learners in a dance to the rhythm of the Song of Health

Ambassador Huo Yuzhen delivered a speech

Students recited Chinese poems .

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