Ten Years of Hard Work and Fruitful Achievements：Farewell Party for Prof. Shang Quanyu, Chinese Director of Confucius Institute at University of Latvia Held Grandly 十载耕耘，乐事劝功 ——拉脱维亚大学孔子学院中方院长尚劝余教授欢送会盛大举行

        At five o’clock in the afternoon on September 18, 2023, Latvian time, the small auditorium of the main building of the University of Latvia was brightly lit and full of distinguished guests.The farewell party for the respected Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia, Professor Shang Quanyu, was held grandly, lasting more than three hours. The ceremony was very successful.

        The guests attending the party included Mr. Tang Songgen, Ambassador of the Chinese Embassy in Latvia and Mrs. Tang, Minister Counselor Ms. Song Danhui, and Director of the Political Office Mr. Zhang Zeyang; Ms. Wang Nan, Director of Chinese Culture Center in Riga, etc.; two Vice-Presidents of the University of Latvia,Ms. Ina Druviete and Mr. Valdis Segliņš and others; Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia Professor Shang Quanyu and his wife Ms. Zhang Guiying, Latvian Director Professor Pēteris Pildegovičs, the new Chinese Director Professor He Dong and his wife Ms. Tao Liping, as well as other teachers and staff from the Confucius Institute. Principals of the cooperative schools also attended the ceremony. In addition, Ms.Karina Jermaka, President of the Chinese Studies Association of Latvia, and many members also attended.Some other friends of Prof. Shang and Prof. Pildegovičs and journalists from several media were present. The total number of guests and friends exceeded one hundred.

        At the beginning of the farewell party, Ambassador Tang Songgen delivered a warm speech. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Latvia and the Chinese government, he expressed his sincere gratitude to Prof. Shang for his hard work in the field of Chinese language teaching and cultural exchanges in Latvia for nearly ten years, and affirmed his extraordinary work. Mr.Tang emphasized that the hard work of Prof. Shang and Prof. Pildegovičs have made outstanding contributions to China-Latvia friendship and cultural exchanges, mutual learning of world civilizations, world peace and development.

        Then, Prof. Valdis Segliņš, Vice-President of the University of Latvia, expressed his heartfelt thanks to Prof. Shang Quanyu for his contributions in the past ten years, and made it clear that the University of Latvia will continue to support the Confucius Institute and continue to promote Chinese teaching in Latvia. Later, together with another Vice-President, Prof. Ina Druviete, he presented honorary certificates to Prof. Shang Quanyu and Prof. Pildegovičs on behalf of the University of Latvia in recognition of their outstanding contributions to cultural exchanges between China and Latvia.

        Prof. Pildegovičs then delivered a speech, reviewing the ten years of working side by side with Prof. Shang. They are each other’s staunchest partners and close comrades-in-arms. The two directors have been getting along day and night and working together in unity for the past ten years, which can be regarded as a model of cooperation between Chinese and foreign directors.

        Many past Chinese volunteer teachers and students of the Confucius Institute also sent their sincere blessings through short videos. The big screen in the auditorium showed lots of familiar faces, which was deeply touching.

        During the free speech session, Ms. Evita Kalme of Riga 34 Middle School, Prof. Tanwans of the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Latvia, Mr. Andris Vaivads, the Principal of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, and Mr. Valerjans Vizulis, the Principal of Yekabpils Middle School, expressed their gratitude to Prof. Shang in turn for their happy cooperation over the years. Although many friends did not come to the stage to speak, they hugged Prof. Shang affectionately, presented flowers and gifts.

       Then, the lights, stage and applause were handed over to today’s protagonist and star,Prof. Shang Quanyu. He was deeply gratified and honored to have dedicated the best ten years of his life to Chinese education in Latvia. He traced the deep friendship with Prof. Pildegovičs over the past ten years and sincerely thanked friends from all walks of life who have supported the Confucius Institute over the years, as well as leaders and comrades of universities, primary and secondary schools who have worked closely with him. Although he is about to retire and return to China , Prof. Shang promised that he will continue to contribute to the friendship and cultural exchanges between China and Latvia no matter where he is. He didn’t forget to express his deepest gratitude to his accompanying wife, Ms. Zhang Guiying, for her selfless dedication. Afterwards,the past and current secretaries of the Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia, presented flowers, hugs, thanks and best wishes to Prof. Shang and Prof. Pildegovičs.

        Amidst the warm blessings, the party entered a wonderful performance session. The Lion Dancers from the Riga Martial Arts School made a fascinating appearance.They came on stage again later, showing superb Chinese martial arts, which was very powerful. Darija sang “Listen to Me, Thank You” and expressed her gratitude to Prof. Shang with a sweet singing voice.Nikolass brought a clarinet performance, showing the charm of music through skillful skills. Ms. Madara Smalka and Ms. Jekaterīna Beļajeva sang a Latvian folk song with melodious voices. Kavinska, a singer from Riga 64 Middle School, presented a special song”Jasmine Flowers”. Ms.Wang Qiongzi, a former teacher from the Confucius Institute, and her family of three performed a remote singing performance “Love Is Unavoidable”, which was very touching. Finally, the Chinese teachers of the Confucius Institute sang “Goodbye”, which made Prof. Shang and his wife cry, as well as themselves. Many guests and friends at the scene also shed sentimental tears.

        Three hours passed without realizing it, and the hosts announced the end of the farewell party. But many friends still surrounded Prof.Shang and his wife, taking photos and hugging each other goodbye.

        For ten years, Prof.Shang Quanyu has worked hard,bravely pioneered, and achieved fruitful results. We sincerely wish Prof.Shang a more colorful life in retirement.May you travel around the world and return with a young heart!

       拉脱维亚时间2023年9月18日下午五点，拉脱维亚大学主楼小礼堂内，灯火辉煌，高朋满座。德高望重的拉脱维亚大学孔子学院中方院长尚劝余教授欢送会盛大举行，历时三个多小时，圆满落幕。

       与会嘉宾有中国驻拉脱维亚大使馆唐松根大使及夫人王倩女士、公参宋丹卉女士及政治处主任张泽阳先生等；里加中国文化中心主任王楠女士等；拉脱维亚大学副校长德鲁维叶戴女士、副校长赛林格什先生等；拉脱维亚孔子学院中方院长尚劝余教授及夫人张桂英女士、拉方院长贝德高教授、新任中方院长何东教授及夫人陶丽萍女士，以及孔子学院的其他教职工。拉大孔院各孔子课堂和教学点的校长、副校长等也齐聚一堂。此外，拉脱维亚大学留华同学会会长卡琳娜女士及众多会员也出席欢送会。值得一提的是，卡琳娜与孔院公派教师、院长助理白冰玉女士共同主持会议，并全程担任中拉和拉中翻译。参加此次盛会的还有尚教授和贝教授的其他挚友。整个与会宾朋人数超过百人。

       欢送会伊始，唐松根大使发表了热情洋溢的致辞，代表大使馆和中国政府表达了对尚院长在拉脱维亚汉语教学和文化交流领域辛勤耕耘近十年的衷心感谢，肯定其十年来非凡的工作成绩。大使强调，尚院长与贝教授的辛勤付出，为中拉友谊和文化交流、世界文明互鉴以及世界和平发展等方面，做出了卓越的贡献。

       接着，拉脱维亚大学副校长赛格林什教授向尚劝余院长近十载的贡献表示衷心的感谢，并明确拉脱维亚大学将一如既往地支持孔子学院，继续推进拉脱维亚的汉语教学事业。随后，他与另一位副校长德鲁维叶戴教授一起，代表拉脱维亚大学，为尚劝余院长和贝德高教授颁发了荣誉证书，以表彰他们对中拉文化交流做出的突出贡献。

       贝德高教授随后发表了致辞，回顾了与尚院长并肩作战的十年岁月。他们是彼此最坚定的合作伙伴，是亲密的战友。两位院长近十年来朝夕相处、团结合作，堪称中外方院长合作的典范。

       许多往期的志愿者教师和孔院学生，也纷纷以短视频送来了诚挚的祝福。礼堂大屏幕上呈现出一幅幅激动的面庞，依依惜别之情尽情流淌，感人至深。

       在自由发言环节，里加34中学艾维塔老师、拉脱维亚大学人文学院教授坦万斯、文茨皮尔斯应用科学大学校长瓦伊瓦兹先生、叶卡布皮尔斯中学校长维祖里斯先生依次向尚院长表达了多年来愉快合作的感谢之情。许多朋友虽未上台发言，但他们纷纷与尚教授深情地拥抱，赠送鲜花和礼物。

       随后，灯光、舞台与掌声交给了今日的主角和明星——尚劝余教授。他无比激动地向与会的全体领导、同事和宾朋们表达了深深的感激之情，感谢大家为他壮行。将人生最美好的十年奉献给了拉脱维亚汉语教育事业，他深感欣慰与荣幸。他追溯了与贝教授相处十年间的深情厚谊，真诚地感谢多年来一直支持孔院的各界朋友，以及密切合作的大学和中小学校的领导和同志。尽管即将荣休回国，但尚院长承诺，不管身在何处，他都将继续为中拉友谊和文化交流做贡献。他没有忘记对随任的夫人张桂英女士的无私奉献表达最深切的谢意。紧接着，拉大孔院的历任与现任四位秘书高安娜等，向尚院长和贝教授献上鲜花、拥抱、感谢和美好的祝愿。

       在热情洋溢的祝福声中，欢送会进入了精彩的表演环节。来自里加武术体育学校的舞狮们闪亮登场，引人入胜。达莉娅小朋友以一曲《听我说谢谢你》，用甜美的歌声向尚院长送上感谢。紧随其后，尼可莱斯带来了一段黑管演奏，通过娴熟的技艺展现了音乐的魅力。拉脱维亚古筝奏响动听的音律，马笑笑、白凯夏二位女士身着民族服饰，倾情演唱了一首民歌，歌声悠扬，悦耳动听。里加64中学的小唱将凯文斯卡呈上一束特别的《茉莉花》。里加武术体育学校的表演者们再次登场，展示了精湛的中华武术，虎虎生威。孔院往期公派教师王琼子一家三口人远程献上了吉他弹唱《情非得已》，十分感人。最后，孔院的汉语老师们一曲《再见》，唱哭了尚大大和尚师母，唱哭了自己。现场的许多宾朋也流下了依依惜别、轻轻感伤的眼泪。

       三个小时不知不觉就过去了，主持人宣布欢送仪式结束。但许多朋友依然簇拥着尚教授和夫人，拍照留念，拥抱话别。

       十年如一日，尚劝余教授筚路蓝缕，呕心沥血，勇于开拓，成果丰硕。衷心祝愿尚院长荣休生活更精彩——走遍大千世界，归来仍是少年。