With a presentation of medieval Chinese literature and "scarlet" letters of luck began Chinese Spring Festival in SWU "Neofit Rilski"
For another year at the South-West University "Neofit Rilski" was held the traditional Chinese Spring Festival, organized by the Faculty of Philology. Guests of the celebration were greeted with tea by Yumin, a Chinese volunteer and lecturer at Southwest University, and Donka Shikova, a Chinese language assistant at the Faculty of Philology. Among the attendees were the Deputy Rector of the University Prof. Dr. Antoni Stoilov, lecturers and students from different faculties.
The ceremony of the Chinese celebration was opened by Prof. Dr. Magdalena Panayotova, Dean of the Faculty of Philology. She briefly outlined the Chinese initiatives that were to take place during the year. The two Chinese lecturers spoke about the roots of the New Moon (Chinese) New Year holiday and presented different traditional customs.
Yinmin acquainted guests with the meaning of several traditional characters, Lantern Day, the last day of the Chinese Spring Festival celebrations and the story of the red color in the symbolism of Chinese culture. She scattered the guests with "scarlet" letters containing small Chinese money because, according to the credentials, letters are lucky and prosperous to those who receive them. Then, students in Chinese language had to recognize the learned hieroglyphics. Greek students attended the event as well.
Ace. Shikova presented a medieval Chinese poem by the Medieval Chinese Literature and, together with the students, commented on its content. The following quiz game included all students who received different awards. After each question, Assistant Shikova was telling curious facts about Chinese culture.
The feast ended with a calligraphy workshop organized by Yuamin.
With games and a tea ceremony, students and teachers met the Chinese New Year
For another year at the Southwestern University "Neofit Rilski" was held a celebration on the occasion of the Chinese New Year, which officially begins on February 16th.
Dozens of students, lecturers and guests gathered in the Confucius classroom to touch the magic of the Spring Day (Chun Jie) - the Chinese New Year.
The celebration ceremony was led by Tai Ley, a Chinese language teacher at the Southwest University. She surprised guests with interesting games and gifts from China. The attendees demonstrated knowledge and skills related to Chinese culture and calligraphy, and the best ones left with prizes. The one-hour program was attended by students and teachers studying Chinese. With songs and poems, they demonstrated what they have learned so far. Guests also have the opportunity to taste traditional Chinese tea.
Among the attendees was the Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Prof. Dr. Magdalena Panayotova. She greeted the guests and briefly told them the legend of the holiday.
"The legend tells us that at the time Buddha invited all the animals, but the celebration came only 12 and Buddha baptized one year for each of the animals that won him.This year is the Earth Dog year, it is connected with a sense of coziness and loyalty" , said Prof. Panayotova. She noted that the purpose of these events was to teach Chinese in a fun and pleasant way.
The event is part of a series of Chinese initiatives organized by the Philological Faculty. Chinese cultural events continue in March. New Chinese books, paintings, demonstrations of Chinese martial arts and Chinese cuisine are forthcoming. Due to the great interest in Chinese language, the Southwestern University has also launched a new bachelor's program - Pedagogy of Bulgarian and Chinese Language Teaching.
INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE
THE EAST – SO FAR, SO CLOSE
Blagoevgrad, 28 May 2019
The conference is conceived as an interdisciplinary forum: academics from Bulgaria, China, Italy, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Germany and Austria are invited to take part in it.
This forum envisages to spark debate on various issues concerning language, literature, philosophy, culture, as well as diplomacy, law, economics, the One Belt and One Road initiative, etc.
- The conference will take place on 28 May 2019 in Conference Room 114, at the Main Building of the South-West University (66 Ivan Mihaylov Str, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria).
28 May 2019
Schedule of Events
9.30 – Registration (in front of Conference Room 114)
10.00 – Conference Opening Addresses
10.15 – 11.00 – Plenary Session (Conference Room 114)
11.00 – 11.15 – coffee break
11.15 – 13.15 – First Thematic Session
13.15 – 13.30 – Discussion
13.30 – 14.30 – lunch break
14.30 – 16.00 – Second Thematic Session
16.00 – 16.15 – Discussion
16.15 – 16.30 – coffee break
16.30 – 17.30 – Third Thematic Session
17.30 – 17.45 – Discussion
18.00 – 18.30 – exhibition of new books published by the SWU publishing house and the Confucius Center, as well as of books published by members of the Faculty of Philology
19.00 – Closing Remarks and Award of Certificates