The 20th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Competition in Latvia successfully held in Riga

On May 18, 2023 Latvian time, the 20th “Chinese Bridge” Competition in Latvia, sponsored by the Chinese Embassy in Latvia and undertaken by the Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia, kicked off in the small auditorium of the University of Latvia. Ms Song Danhui , Chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Latvia, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Wang Nan, director of the Latvian Chinese Cultural Center, Pro.Peteris Pildegovics, the director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia from Latvian side, Professor Shang Quanyu, the director of Confucius Institute at University of Latvia from Chinese side,Mr Valdis Segliņš ,Vice-Chancellor of the University of Latvia, Mr Jānis Priede,the director of the Asian Department of the Faculty of Humanities, and representatives from Latvian universities and middle schools Nearly 100 guests and contestants from primary schools participated in this “Chinese Bridge” activity.

The competition officially started on the morning of May 18 in Latvian time. Students from 12 schools including Riga No. 13 Middle School, Riga Secondary School No.1, Kraslava Gymnasium, and Riga Daugavgriva Secondary School competed intensely in the elementary, middle, and advanced groups. Some students sang Chinese songs and recited poems, some students performed Chinese classical dance, and some students performed paper-cutting and calligraphy on the spot. Show their talents in Chinese and express the passion for China and Chinese culture. On May 19th, at the Chinese Cultural Center in Riga, the director of the Confucius Institute in the University of Latvia from the Latvian side, Pro.Peteris Pildegovics, and the director from Chinese side, Professor Shang Quanyu, delivered speeches and also announced the start of the competition for the primary, intermediate and advanced groups of primary schools and universities. The contestants in the primary and university groups wore traditional Chinese costumes – cheongsam and Hanfu, some performed traditional Chinese musical instruments and flutes, some performed traditional Chinese martial arts – nunchakus and sword dancing, etc., some sewed and made giant pandas on the spot, and some Some of them performed tea ceremony, and some told stories about the Chinese zodiac, Chinese tea, little carp jumping over the dragon gate and so on. The contestants in the university group also gave live speeches on topics such as “One World, One Family”, “Blind People Touching Elephants”, “Black-faced Bao Gong”, “Questions about Life”, and discussed profound truths one after another in Chinese, which was thought-provoking . After two days of fierce competition, the “Chinese Bridge” competition was successfully concluded on the afternoon of May 19 at the Riga Chinese Cultural Center. The contestants are mainly primary school students, and the youngest student is only 9 years old. More and more primary school students are actively participating in Chinese Bridge activities, which also reflects the youthful characteristics of international Chinese teaching.

The 20th anniversary of the “Chinese Bridge” Competition in Latvia is also the first offline competition to resume since the epidemic. The successful holding of the “Chinese Bridge” also responds to the global civilization initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and provides a Chinese solution for promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and promoting the progress of human civilization. The “Chinese Bridge” conforms to the spirit of the initiative and is a bridge of China, the bridge of the world, and the bridge of the future. Through this bridge, one can get closer to China and Chinese culture, appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese culture, and explore the secret of success in Chinese-style modernization; This bridge can “make friends in Chinese” and promote civilized dialogue, cultural integration, and people-to-people bonds between people in China, and other countries in the world; The people of the world unite and cooperate to build a future of lasting peace and common prosperity. “Pursue the dream of Chinese, live up to your youth.” It is hoped that more and more college, middle and primary school students will participate in the “Chinese Bridge” activities in the future, and experience the charm of Chinese language and Chinese culture together.

当地时间2023年5月18日，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的拉脱维亚第20届“汉语桥”中文比赛在拉脱维亚大学小礼堂拉开帷幕。中国驻拉脱维亚大使馆临时代办宋丹卉出席了拉脱维亚赛区预选赛区开幕式并发言致辞。拉脱维亚中国文化中心王楠主任、拉脱维亚大学孔子学院外方院长贝德高教授、中方院长尚劝余教授和拉大副校长赛格林斯、人文学院亚洲系主任普里埃德以及来自拉脱维亚大中小学的近百位嘉宾和参赛选手近百人参与到本次“汉语桥”活动中。

当地时间5月18日上午比赛正式开始。来自里加十三中学、里加第一中学、克拉斯拉瓦中学、道家瓦河口中学等12所学校的学生分别在初、中、高级组进行了紧张激烈的角逐。有的学生唱中文歌、诗朗诵，有的学生表演中国古典舞还有的学生现场演绎了剪纸和书法等等。用中文展现才艺，表达对中国和中国文化的热情。5月19日在里加中国文化中心，拉脱维亚孔子学院外方院长贝德高教授和中方院长尚劝余教授发言致辞，拉开了小学和大学初、中、高级组的比赛的帷幕。小学和大学组的选手们身着中国传统服饰-旗袍和汉服，有的表演中国传统乐器吹笛子，有的表演中国传统武术-双节棍和舞剑等，有的现场缝纫制作大熊猫，有的表演茶道、还有的讲述了关于十二生肖、中国茶叶、小鲤鱼跳龙门等的故事。大学组的选手们也围绕“天下一家，一个世界一个家”、“盲人摸象”、“黑脸包公”、“对生活的疑问”等话题进行现场演讲、用中文探讨一个又一个深刻的道理，发人深省。经过两天的激烈角逐，本次“汉语桥”比赛于5月19日下午在里加中国文化中心圆满结束。参赛选手主要为小学生，最小的学生年仅9岁。越来越多的小学生积极参与到汉语桥活动中也体现出国际汉语教学的年轻化特征。

拉脱维亚赛区比赛的第20周年，也是疫情以来首次恢复线下比赛。“汉语桥”的顺利举办也响应了习近平主席提出的全球文明倡议，为推动文明交流互鉴、促进人类文明进步提供了中国方案。“汉语桥”契合倡议精神，是中国之桥、世界之桥、未来之桥，通过这座桥，可以走近中国和中国文化，领略中华传统优秀文化魅力，探寻中国式现代化的成功秘诀；通过这座桥，可以“以中文会友”，促进中、拉和世界各国人民文明对话、文化融通、民心相通；通过这座桥，可以深刻理解中华民族和合理念、“天下一家”的世界情怀，推动世界人民团结合作，携手共建持久和平、共同繁荣的未来。“追梦中文，不负韶华。”希望未来越来越多的大中小学生参与到“汉语桥”的活动当中，共同体会汉语和中华文化的魅力。