The 3rd“Chinese Corner”Activity of Confucius Institute at Latvia University

This year October 30 Riga’s Chinese restaurant “The Great China Wall” organized the fourth “Chinese salon” event. Many Chinese exchange students, teachers and Latvians who study Chinese came together to communicate in Chinese. Firstly, they introduced themselves to each other, then played different Chinese language games, drank tea with Spring rolls and talked about different interesting topics. This event lasted for two hours and everybody was really glad to take a part in it, as the atmosphere there was really joyful and welcoming.
Recently in Latvia more and more young people start to study Chinese, however, there still are not so many opportunities to practice oral language, so “Chinese salon” not only is a great opportunity to meet Chinese, to learn about Chinese culture and try some Chinese dishes, but also is a chance to use the knowledge gained in the university or Confucius institute to speak Chinese. This event is interesting also to Chinese people, as normally they cannot meet so many Latvians who speak Chinese. Moreover, Chinese exchange students can make friends with Latvians and to get to know European culture and lifestyle. It is said that mutual studying is the most effective studying method, but cross-cultural studying is even more effective.
“Chinese salon” is organized by the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Latvia and Confucius Institute in Latvia. Every two weeks in Thursday evening many Chinese and Latvians come together to enjoy the opportunity to speak Chinese, play games, drink tea with snacks just like one big family.