The “Chinese Corner” Is Back Again

From 18:30 to 21:00 local time on September 21, 2022, The Chinese language event “Chinese Corner” held by Faculty of Humanities at the University of Latvia was finally launched again after two years. Teachers and students from the Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia, the Latvian Chinese Studies Association, the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Latvia, and Chinese students in Latvia gathered together to witness and participate in this long-awaited Chinese language activity after the pandemic.

During the activity, the students tried to use chopsticks to enjoy delicious Chinese food, getting to know each other. After the meal, Prof. Agita Baltgalve, Head of Chinese Programme of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Latvia announced the start of the event, and invited Prof. Shang Quanyu, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia, to share the story of the Chinese Corner since its establishment for more than 20 years. After Chinese teacher Karina Jermaka gave a speech and introduction of the rules of the Chinese corner, teachers and students cut to the topic together – three people formed a group to chat about everything! The entire dining hall was instantly filled with Chinese conversations in laughters and various tones, as if everyone had been in China already. After nearly two hours of communicating, everyone was so reluctant to say good-bye to each other, making an appointment to meet up in the next Chinese corner.

The first Chinese Corner attracted 40 people or so. As Ms.Karina Jermaka said, “We hope that the Chinese Corner could be held smoothly and will no longer be affected by the pandemic.” It is hoped that more and more Chinese learners in Latvia will join the event, making more friends and build their Chinese speaking muscles stronger.

当地时间2022年9月21日18:30至21:00，来自拉脱维亚大学孔子学院、拉脱维亚大学留华同学会、拉脱维亚大学人文学院的师生及中国在拉留学生共聚一堂，见证并参与了时隔两年后终于再次启动的汉语角活动。

活动中，学生们争相尝试使用筷子享用美味的中餐，彼此认识，热闹非凡。餐后，拉脱维亚大学人文学院中文专业负责人鲍葛薇教授宣布活动正式开始，并邀请拉脱维亚大学孔子学院中方院长尚劝余教授向大家介绍汉语角活动创办以来20多年的历史，在人文学院汉语教师卡琳娜致辞并介绍活动规则后，师生一起切入正题——三人成组，畅聊万物！整个餐厅瞬间被各种腔调的汉语交谈声填满，仿佛人人都已置身中国。在近两小时的畅聊后，大家已然熟悉了彼此，依依不舍地在饭店门口互留联系方式，互道晚安，相约下次汉语角再见。

本次汉语角活动吸引了约40人参加，正如卡琳娜老师所说，“我们希望汉语角能顺利举办下去，不再受疫情影响。”我们也希望越来越多拉脱维亚的汉语学习者加入汉语角，广交好友，畅聊中文。