The 18th Latvian “Chinese Bridge” – Chinese Proficiency Competition Successfully Held
On May 29th and 30th, 2021, the 18th Latvian “Chinese Bridge” – Chinese proficiency competition with the theme of “One World, One Family” was successfully held. Due to the influence of COVID-19, the competition was undertaken online. With the support of the “Chinese Bridge” fund set up by the China Foreign Language Exchange and Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Education, the competition was sponsored by the Embassy of China in Latvia, organized by Confucius Institute at University of Latvia, co-organized by Confucius Classroom at Riga Culture Secondary School, Confucius Classroom at Daugavpils University, Confucius Classroom at Rezekne Academy of Technologies, Confucius Classroom at Riga No.34 Secondary School, Confucius Classroom at Riga Technical University, Faculty of Humanities at University of Latvia, Transport and Telecommunication Institute, Latvian Academy of Culture, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Kraslava State Gymnasium, Jēkabpils State Gymnasium, Riga Daugavgriva Secondary School, Riga No.64 Secondary School, Montessori Elementary School. Distinguished Guests —- Mr. Liang Jianquan, Ambassador of the Embassy of China in Latvia, Prof. Peteris Pildegovics, Director of Latvian side of Confucius Institute at University of Latvia. Professor Shang Quanyu, Director of Chinese side of Confucius Institute at University of Latvia, Mr Guo Qun and Ms Li Deping, Heads of Riga Branch of Xinhua News Agency were present at the competition. Ms Dai Lan, Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Latvia, Mr Liu Jimin, Consul of the Embassy of China in Latvia, Ms Agita Baltgalve, Head of Chinese Programme at University of Latvia, Ms. Karina Jermaka, President of the Chinese Alumni Association in Latvia, and other Chinese teachers Ms Evita Kalme, Ms Madara Smalka, Ms Bai Bingyu, Ms Zhu Bofan acted as judges of the competition.
At the beginning of the competition, Ambassador Liang Jianquan made an opening speech on the significance of the competition. He mentioned that ‘this year is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Latvia. Over the past 30 years, people to people and cultural exchanges have always been an important driving force to promote the development of bilateral relations and a fertile soil to nourish the friendship between China and Latvia. “Chinese Bridge” is not only an exhibition of achievements in Chinese teaching, but also a bridge for people to people exchanges between China and Latvia. It starts from language and goes beyond it; It is originated in China and goes to the world; It comes from the classroom and enters the mind. This is the interpretation of the concept of “Achieving one’s own goal yields gratification; Lending a hand to consummate others’ goal doubles satisfaction; Goals of self and others can be unified, thus the world can be harmonized”. It is also the origin of today’s Chinese bridge competition theme “One World, One Family” and the historical origin of China’s concept of “Community of Common Destiny for All Mankind”. At the same time, Ambassador Liang praised the students who have worked hard to learn Chinese, paid tribute to the teachers who have been engaged in teaching Chinese language and Chinese culture in Latvia for a long time, and expressed thanks to all the people from all walks of life who care about and support the “Chinese Bridge”. Directors Peteris Pildegovics and Shang Quanyu also expressed their heartfelt thanks and wishes to the distinguished guests and participants and staff of the competition.
This year, 36 contestants participated in the Chinese Bridge Competition, including 9 participants in the adult group, 11 in teenagers group and 16 in children’s group. The contestants competed fiercely around the Theme Speech, Chinese Knowledge Q&A, Talent Show, etc. As the competition was held during the epidemic period, the scoring procedure was divided into two parts. Contestants were required to submit self introduction video, keynote speech video and talent show video before online competition, and participate in online question and answer session. Finally, the jury scored the contestants’ performance based on their self introduction, keynote speech, talent show video and online question and answer session. In the online Q&A session, the contestants actively participated and answered questions enthusiastically; In the talent show, the contestants did singing, dancing, calligraphy and painting etc, to show their style.
Finally, Jesenija Kolosova, Zane Zvaigzne and Deniss Petrovs won the first prizes of Primary School Students’ junior group, intermediate group and senior group respectively. Simona Liepa,Kira Žuraveļa and Dana Sorokina won the first prizes of Secondary School Students’ junior group, intermediate group and senior group respectively. Margarita Sviridova, Marieta Tarabrina and Anna Vodolagina respectively won the first prizes of Adults’ junior group, intermediate group and advanced group.
At the “Growing-up Ceremony” of the Latvian “Chinese Bridge” competition, the contestants presented their best wishes with their enthusiasm and talents. The smooth progress of the “Chinese Bridge” not only enables the contestants to further understand China’s long history of civilization and profound cultural heritage, but also strengthens the ties between China and Latvia. Just as Ambassador Liang said in his opening speech, “this is not only a competition, but also a platform for communication and learning.”
当地时间2021年5月29-30日，主题为“天下一家”的拉脱维亚第十八届“汉语桥”中文比赛成功举行。由于新冠疫情的影响，本届“汉语桥”采用了线上的方式进行比赛。在教育部中外语言交流合作中心所设“汉语桥”基金支持下，本届大赛由中国驻拉脱维亚大使馆主办,拉脱维亚大学孔子学院承办,里加文化中学孔子课堂、道加瓦皮尔斯大学孔子课堂、雷泽克内大学孔子课堂、里加34中学孔子课堂、里加工业大学孔子课堂、拉脱维亚大学人文学院、交通与电信大学、拉脱维亚文化学院、文茨皮尔斯大学、维泽梅应用技术大学、克拉斯拉瓦中学、叶卡布皮尔斯中学、里加道加瓦河口中学、里加64中学、蒙特梭利探索小学协办。中国驻拉脱维亚大使梁建全先生、拉脱维亚大学孔子学院拉方院长贝德高先生、拉脱维亚大学孔子学院中方院长尚劝余教授、新华社里加分社负责人郭群和李德萍等嘉宾出席了此次大赛开幕式。中国驻拉脱维亚大使馆参赞戴蓝女士和领事刘继民先生、拉脱维亚大学中文专业负责人鲍葛薇女士、拉脱维亚留华同学会会长卡琳娜女士以及中文教师艾薇塔女士、马笑笑女士、白冰玉女士、朱柏帆女士担任本次大赛的评委。
大赛伊始，梁建全大使就本次大赛的意义进行了开场发言，他提到“今年是中拉建交30周年。30年来，人文交流始终是推动两国关系发展的重要动力，始终是滋养中拉友谊的厚沃土壤。‘汉语桥’不仅是汉语教学的成果展示会,更是中拉人文交流的桥梁。它起步于语言，而超越语言；它发源于中国，而走向世界；它产生于课堂，而走进心灵。这正是‘各美其美，美人之美，美美与共，天下大同’理念的诠释，也是今天汉语桥比赛主题‘天下一家’的由来，是中国提出‘人类命运共同体’理念的历史渊源。”同时，梁大使对努力学习中文的同学们点赞，也向长期在拉从事汉语教学、传播中华文化的老师们致以敬意，向所有关心和支持“汉语桥”的中拉各界人士表示感谢。贝德高院长、尚劝余院长也对本次比赛的嘉宾、参赛人员、工作人员表示了衷心的感谢和祝愿。
今年参加汉语桥比赛的选手共36人，其中，大学成人组参赛选手9名，中学生组11名，小学生组16名。选手们围绕着主题演讲、中国知识问答等环节进行了激烈角逐。由于本次比赛在疫情期间举行，故评分内容分为两大部分。参赛选手需在线上赛前提交自我介绍视频、主题演讲视频和才艺展示视频，并在线参与线上问答环节，最后评审团综合选手所提交的自我介绍、主题演讲、才艺展示的视频和选手线上问答环节的表现进行打分。在线上问答环节中，选手们积极参与，踊跃发言；在才艺展示中，选手们又是歌舞书画，尽展风采。
最终，森丽娅（Jesenija Kolosova）、 施嘉琪（Zane Zvaigzne）、丹尼斯（Deniss Petrovs）分别获得了小学初级组、中级组和高级组的一等奖。早星（Simona Liepa）、基拉（Kira Žuraveļa）、达娜（Dana Sorokina）分别获得了中学初级组、中级组和高级组的一等奖。微微（Margarita Sviridova）、玛丽（Marieta Tarabrina）、安娜（Anna Vodolagina）分别获得了大学生成人初级组、中级组和高级组的一等奖。
在拉脱维亚“汉语桥”比赛的“成年礼”上，选手们以自己的热情和才能为之献上祝福。此次“汉语桥”的顺利进行，不仅让选手们进一步了解到中国悠久的文明历史和厚重的文化底蕴，同时也加强中拉两国联系的纽带。正如梁大使开场致辞所说：“这不仅是一场比赛，更是一个交流学习的平台。”
