Recently, the 4th Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Confucius summer camp kicked off in Beijing Language and Culture University.in order to promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and CEEC.
Zhao Guocheng, deputy chief executive of the Confucius Institute Headquarters, said China and CEEC have a long history of exchanges. Until now, 34 Confucius Institutes and 44 Confucius Classrooms have been built in 16 CEEC countries with more than 520,000 students. Meanwhile, many colourful activities have been held with more than 510,000 people involved. The projects set up by the Confucius Institute Headquarters, such as the summer camp of visiting China, have also gained much popularity among Chinese young students.
It seems destined for a relation with China as Lena’s grandfather was doing business in China before. “My father fell in love with China and became a Chinese fan while my grandfather was presenting a photo from China to him.” she said. Since then, her father started buying various books about China so as to have a better understanding of Chinese history and culture. Besides, he has been playing Taichi for 30 years.
Lena also fell in love with China as she has been brought up in a family of Chinese fans. When studying in high school, she has already learned Chinese systemically, and knew Chinese culture in Confucius Institute of the University of Novi Sad. It was difficult for her to learn Chinese at the beginning. But she felt at ease after several weeks when summarizing a set of learning methods.
It is the first time that she visited China to attend the summer camp in Beijing. “I truly love this country and all the Chinese I met are very nice.” said Lena, who wanted to visit some famous landmarks and experience Chinese culture.
Lena’s father has never been to China before though he is also fond of China. “When hearing the news that I could go to China, he has been jealous for a day. Just now, he texted me to take more photos and bring native products home. I hope that I could come to China with my father some day.” she said.
Sabine, a Romanian girl dressed in ethnic clothes with short and curly hair, impressed us with her maturity and determination. She was a doctor before. But she is learning Chinese at the Confucius Institute of the University of Bucharest in her 30 when quitting her job.
Twenty years ago, Sabine’s father worked in the Romanian Embassy to China. But she hadn’t been in contact with China for a long period after being in China with her family at the age of ten. The desire of returning to China is still lingering in her mind though with an ordinary life.
Sabine had been working in a local hospital for four years since graduated from the university. However, the relatively low salary developed her determination to quit job and restart again. “It is time that I should pick up Chinese language and have a better understanding of China,” she said. After returning to school, she took Chinese and French courses, and set up a new goal for her future. “I am interested in traditional Chinese medicine and it is hoped to combine the medical knowledge acquired with Chinese medicine.” she added.
It is the first time that Sabine set foot on Chinese land to participate in the summer camp after 20 years. “I had never imagined that China is undergoing such remarkable changes that the city’s look is renewed” she said.
Tricia started learning Chinese language three years ago. “I was interested in Chinese but not highly recommended to learn it by my teacher who had little knowledge of China and believed Chinese was less important in the world,” She was still learning Chinese culture while studying Chinese language in order to remove her teacher’s bias about China. “I will introduce an authentic China to my teacher through learning Chinese. It is hoped to have a better understanding of China during the summer camp.” she said.
Like Tricia’s teacher, Chen Jing, a student from the Confucius Institute of University of Montenegro, only knew the North-South Expressway built with Chinese assistance before learning Chinese. “I didn’t know China well previously. But I was interested in Chinese when taking the first Chinese class,” In order to deepen the understanding of China, Chen was proactively involved in activities related to Chinese culture, such as Chinese culture lecture and China’s food festival. “I can still play Chinese song Porcelain Angel with guzheng (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument like zither).” she said proudly.
According to the statistics, more than 3,500 students and teachers from CEEC Confucius Institutes have visited China to discover the Chinese language and culture through these summer camps over the past four years. They hoped to participated in the exchanges and cooperation between China and CEEC.