Chinese Culture Show at Confucius Institute hit Peru College Campus

"Chinese becomes one of the compulsory foreign languages!" announced the president of Arequipa Notre Dame Catholic University of Peru at the second celebration of Confucius Institute Day. In celebration of the People’s Republic of China’s 66th Anniversary and the second global Confucius Institute Day, the Confucius Institute of Arequipa Notre Dame Catholic University held a series of activities based on Chinese culture on October 1st local time. The event attracted thousands of teachers and students, as well as citizens, to enjoy and participate. The president and three vice presidents of the university, faculty leaders, headmasters of the cooperative middle schools and the teachers and students of the Confucius Institute were present at the event.

A group photo of university leaders and Chinese teachers

At the celebration meeting held in the school hall, Alberto Briceño, the president of the university, delivered a speech. First, he expressed congratulations on the Chinese National Day and the Confucius Institute Day, and proclaimed Chinese as a compulsory foreign language which is directly tied to the graduation of the students. He indicated that the development experience of China is worth learning and it’s promising to learn Chinese well. Moreover, he expected that the university’s lead teachers promote the Confucius Institute further, encourage more students to learn Chinese in the Confucius Institute, and later go to China for advanced studies. Separate speeches were made by the Chinese Dean PENG Qigui, the Foreign Dean Angelica and LI Lianjie (Fredy), a student with a scholarship who just returned from studying in China. In their speeches, they all showed their great affection to the Confucius Institute.

The Dragon Dance

After the celebrations ceremony, the teachers and students of the Confucius Institute presented a brilliant performance. With gongs and drums ringing out, the lifelike golden dragon and glittering lion marched in one after another, quickly creating a bright atmosphere. Hot Xinjiang Dance performed by female teachers and a curvaceous pavane enthralled the whole audience. The performance of Chinese shadow boxing and Taiji-fan, in which there was strength as well as grace, showed the backbone of integrity in a free flowing graceful manner. Moreover, the Peruvians were deeply fond of the dance “Little Apple” performed by teachers and students together. The performance aroused rounds of applause from the audience, along with flashlights flickering continuously.

Pavane Dance

Chinese shadow boxing in a free flowing graceful manner

The experience of Chinese culture followed the performances. Teachers were in their places, reaching to several “China red” stalls decorated the day before. A variety of activities took place at the same time, including getting a Chinese name and appreciating Chinese calligraphy, Chinese tea art and cuisine, learning to speak Chinese, doing a Chinese crossword, rope skipping, shuttlecock kicking. A wave of students who not only got a Chinese name and calligraphy works, but also ate and drank their fill, appreciated the Chinese tea and Chinese food so much that they created a remarkable degree of excitement. The activities came to an end at 5 pm, with students and teachers unwilling to leave, queuing up in front of the calligraphy stall to get Chinese names for their friends. Fascinated by Chinese culture, they said they wanted to learn Chinese in the Confucius Institute!

The queue in front of the stalls

Along with cheers and laughter, the celebrations of Chinese National Day and Confucius Institute Day came to an end. In this special way, the whole faculty of Arequipa Notre Dame Catholic University presented a unique gift to the 66th anniversary of PRC and the 2nd Confucius Institute Day. By means of those activities, teachers and students, as well as citizens of Peru, gained a firsthand appreciation for China’s prosperity and experienced the brilliant Chinese culture.

Chinese Report:  孔子学院中国文化秀引爆秘鲁大学校园