China, Bulgaria celebrate anniversaries together at Confucius Institute

China, Bulgaria celebrate anniversaries together at Confucius Institute at an event.

An event titled “Bulgaria and China – Celebrating Together with a View to the Future” was hosted at the Confucius Institute on Friday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and China.

Organized by the Confucius Institute in Sofia, the event also marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, 20 years of Confucius Institutes, Global Confucius Institute Day, and the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.

Attendees in the institute’s Multifunctional Hall enjoyed performances of Chinese and Bulgarian songs and dances by students from both countries.

Earlier in the day, attendees participated in lectures focused on China, including topics like “Educational Exchanges Between China and Bulgaria” and “The Cultural Dimension of China’s Foreign Policy.”

Establishment of Diplomatic Relations

Guan Xin, the cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, highlighted that China’s National Day and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries are now celebrated together, bringing shared joy to both peoples.

Guan added that Confucius Institutes have played a key role in spreading Chinese language and culture worldwide, fostering mutual understanding and closer ties.

Chen Ying, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, emphasized the institute’s efforts to promote Chinese culture in Bulgaria, encouraging Bulgarian youth to learn Chinese, visit China, and become ambassadors of friendship between the two nations.

Chen also noted that there are 25 learning centers teaching Chinese in Bulgaria, including universities in Plovdiv, Ruse, Blagoevgrad, Stara Zagora, and Burgas.

The Sofia Confucius Institute has established eight Confucius Classrooms, which serve as regional hubs for promoting Chinese language and culture, she said.

A congratulatory message from Nikolay Marin, rector of South-West University in Blagoevgrad, acknowledged the university’s role as a bridge of friendship between Bulgaria and China.

Marin also remarked that the strong bilateral relations between Bulgaria and China have paved the way for enhanced cooperation in various fields.

In a message from Dobri Yarkov, rector of Trakia University in Stara Zagora, he expressed pride and satisfaction in the deepening relationship between Bulgaria and China in areas such as culture, science, technology, agriculture, and education.