Confucius Institute at University of Latvia successfully held “2015 Spring Festival-Lantern Festival Gala
On 28th February 2015, Confucius Institute at University of Latvia held “”2015 Spring Festival-Lantern Festival Gala for teachers and students learning Chinese in Latvia” in the grand hall of University of Latvia. This is the first time to combine the celebration of these two festivals together. The number of the attendants has reach unprecedented 280 and the representatives participating were from more than 20 departments of the society, including Chinese embassy to Latvia, Latvia Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education and Science, Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Association, Huawei Technologies Company, Latvian Wushu Federation, as well as students and teachers from 13 Chinese programs in Latvia.
At the beginning, Chinese director professor Shang Quanyu and Latvian director professor Pildegovics of Confucius Institute extended a warm welcome to all the guests. Then, Chinese ambassador Mr. Yang Guoqiang pointed out that Spring Festival and Lantern Festival have already gone abroad and become the one of the symbols of Chinese harmonious culture. Also, he spoke highly of the Chinese program achievements made in Latvia these years. After this, vice rector Mr. Kangro also made a speech and wished success for the celebration.
The grand hall was decorated in Chinese style with Chinese knot and spring couplets. In joyous and peaceful atmosphere, teachers and students from each Chinese program brought excellent performance. Such as poetry recitation, challenging Chinese poem “The Story of Shi Eating Lions”(ShīShìShíShīShǐ), creative sketch “Chinese Museum”, “New Snow White”, beautiful dancing “Be Happy”. Together with drawer from Chinese Association painting “Plum Flower”, magic performance from Ukrainian magician and martial arts and lion dance show from Wushu Federation. The excellent performance gained a lot of enthusiastic applause. Besides, the audiences participated riddle-guessing game and enjoyed tasty Chinese food.
In order to make this celebration splendid, all the organizers started to prepare it a month ago. This is not only a festival celebration, but also a communication gathering for students learning Chinese all over Latvia and an intimate friendly party for Chinese and Latvian people.
Latvia is the first place to start Chinese teaching program in Baltic area. There are now more than 4000 Latvian who have learned Chinese or martial arts till now. And there are 13 Chinese programs and 10 Wushu clubs at present.
