The 14th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Competition in Latvia was Successfully Held in University of Latvia
On April 25th and 26th, 2017, under the sponsorship of Hanban, the 14th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Competition in Latvia was successfully held in the University of Latvia. The competition was sponsored by the Embassy of P.R.China in the Republic of Latvia, organized by Confucius Institute at University of Latvia, and co-organized by Confucius Center at Stradins University, Faculties of Humanities of University of Latvia and other Hanban Chinese program institutions in Latvia. More than 100 guests from various sectors of the society in Latvia watched the competition, including Mr. Huang Yong, the Ambassador of China to Latvia, Professor Jānis Ikstens, Vice Rector of University of Latvia, Mr. Li Tao, Counselor of Chinese Embassy in Latvia, Professor Pēteris Pildegovičs and Professor Shang Quanyu, Directors of LUCI, Chinese teachers, the representatives from press, universities and schools, and Chinese learners in Latvia.
Mr. Huang Yong, the Ambassador of China to Latvia emphasized the theme “Dreams Enlighten the Future” in the address, and said that “Chinese Bridge” competition has been held in Latvia for 14 consecutive years, which has not only improved Latvian Chinese learners’ Chinese proficiency and impressed them with the charm of Chinese culture, but has also helped to realize their dreams of studying in China, broadening their horizon, and approaching excellence. He expressed his gratitude to the Government of Latvia and the University of Latvia for their dedication in Chinese education, and hoped more Latvian citizen, especially younger generation, would deepen their understanding through Chinese learning. The Ambassador also expressed his encouragement and wishes for the contestants.
Professor Jānis Ikstens, the Vice Rector of University of Latvia and the board director of LUCI said in the speech that “Chinese Bridge” has provided a perfect channel for Latvian Chinese learners, and that it has acted positively in promoting Latvia-China culture exchange and friendly bilateral relation. University of Latvia will continue to support and promote Chinese education in Latvia.
Professor Pēteris Pildegovičs and Professor Shang Quanyu, the Latvian and Chinese Directors of the Confucius Institute at University of Latvia mentioned 3 highlights in their address. The first highlight is the number of contestants, which has reached a historical height, symbolizing the popularity of Chinese language and culture in Latvia. The second highlight is the age range of contestants, which ranges from 7 to 70, indicating the language’s charm among both young and elder. The third is that children and teenager contestants take up high percentage, revealing that Chinese is being more and more appreciated by youngsters.
A total of 67 contestants participated in the competitions, 21 of whom were in Adult and University Student’s Group, 46 were in Elementary and Secondary School Student’s Groups. The contestants fiercely competed in four sections: self-introduction, themed public speaking, Q&A about Chinese knowledge and talent show. Their passionate speeches in the theme “Dreams Enlighten the Future” and extraordinary artistic abilities and skills in the Chinese talent show deeply impressed all the judges and audience present. After the fierce competition, Pinkena Laura from Faculty of Humanities at University of Latvia, Avdjukēviča Helēna and Kolosovs Emils from Confucius Institute at University of Latvia, and Trizna Dmitrijs from Riga Technical University won the first places in the advanced level, intermediate level and the elementary level in the Adult and University Student’s Group; Petrova Anastasija from Riga 34 Secondary School, Kasparenoks Ēriks from Rezekne Academy of Technologies, and Galeja Sabīne Madara from Riga Culture Secondary School won the first places in the advanced level, intermediate level and the elementary level in the Secondary School Student’s Group; Korali Anais from Confucius Institute at University of Latvia and Nilova Marija from Riga 34 Secondary School won the first places in the intermediate level and the elementary level in the Elementary School Student’s Group. Some of the winners will travel to China representing Latvia to compete and watch the “Chinese Bridge” final competition, and all of them will be recommended in the application for the 2017/2018 Chinese Government Scholarship.
As the Chinese-teaching center in the Baltic Sea States, Latvia has made continuous efforts in Chinese-teaching and has made profound achievements. With the great success of the 14th “Chinese Bridge” Competition in Latvia, the Chinese-teaching has been further promoted to a higher level, and the cultural communication and understanding between China and Latvia will be further strengthened more firmly.
