Yekaterinburg on Global Confucius Institute Day

In observance of the Global Confucius Institute Day, Ural Federal University (in Russia) held a big celebration on September 26th, 2015. The education consul of the Consulate General of China in Yekaterinburg, Russia, LI Binguo; the first Vice Principal of UFU, Mr. Dmitri; Russian master of the Confucius Institute, Mrs. Maria; and Chinese master of the Confucius Institute, CHEN Hui attended the celebration and delivered speeches. The performances were so wonderful that every seat in the hall was filled. About 1,000 people took part in the activity, including students from the Confucius Institute, teachers and students from the Faculty of Asian Languages and Cultures of GDUFS and the local middle schools and Chinese lovers.

LI delivering a speech

In the speech, LI expressed greetings to all guests as well as teachers and students of the Confucius Institute, and showed great gratitude for the support of the consulate. The Confucius Institute at UFU has been developing rapidly in recent years, gaining great social prestige and playing an important role in the spread of Chinese culture and the education of language in the Sverdlovsk region. The relationship between China and Russia has been getting closer over the last two years, and cooperation between the Sverdlovsk region and China has increased. As China has become the world’s second largest economy due to its rapid development and broadened market, having a good command of Chinese undoubtedly lays the foundation of a brilliant career.

Vice Principal Dmitri making his speech

Vice Principal Dmitri looked back on UFU’s [JC1]great achievements in the fields of geopolitics, historical traditions, exchanges and cooperation projects between GDUFS and UFU, as well as praising the institution for its 8-year long efforts. He pointed out that more opportunities should be offered to Yekaterinburg, because the north line of the New Silk Road will link withthe Sverdlovsk region. In this historic new era filled with precious opportunities, the Confucius Institute, the center of Chinese language education and a window into Chinese culture, are indispensable and irreplaceable.

The group photo

The hall of UFU was decorated and the wonderful performances attracted lots of visitors. The winning works of calligraphy competition and the rubbings of the famous Occult Tower Monument drew the curtains of celebration. In one of the performances, a group of children from 144 schools recited a poem in both Chinese and Russian. Also, Chinese exchange students brought audiences a Taiji Fan exhibition — more than 20 people performing neatly with fan sounds echoing in the hall — and earned a resounding round of applause. Following it was a medley of Chinese and Russian songs sung by all teachers and students from the two countries, which encouraged audiences to join in chorus and clap their hands with the beat. At the end of the performance, a rhythmic and fashionable dance Little Apple performed by sophomores from the Faculty of Asian Languages and Cultures reached the apex of the celebration.

Visitors appreciating Chinese handwriting

Taiji exhibition with fans

The dance— A Little apple

Finally, UFU’s celebration of Global Confucius Institute Day concluded successfully. For the celebration, UFU had prepared for the 2nd Global Confucius Institute Day since the end of last semester. And at the beginning of this semester, they had designed many campus open days and classes about Chinese culture, opening the window of Chinese culture to the local population. Not only little babies, but also senior adults could participate in these activities. These efforts were significant because they helped the local population gain more information about the Confucius Institution of UFU and reinforced the image of Chinese culture. Joining activities held by the Confucius Institute can provide Russians with a sense that Chinese language is not out of touch with their daily life.

Besides, the Confucius Institute held a Chinese language comprehensive competition and a Chinese calligraphy competition at the Ural Federation. After a two week competition, 12 selections from nearly 100 participants reached the final. Ultimately, Professor Anton Bekov from the School of Legal Studies won the first prize.