ELTE Confucius Institute Celebrates Its 15th Anniversary

2022. June 21.

On June 21 (local time), the Confucius Institute at Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE) in Hungary celebrated its 15th anniversary at the ELTE University Law School auditorium. Many guests from the political, educational, and business sectors attended the event, including Dr. Vitalyos Eszter, Deputy Minister of Culture and Innovation of Hungary; Dr. Pacsay-Tomassich Orsolya, State Secretary in charge of the Hungarian Diplomatic Academy and the Hungarian Scholarship Program; Dr. Hanko Balazs, Hungarian Deputy State Secretary for Education; Mr. Liu Bo, Chargé d'affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Hungary; Mr. Chen Kun, Education Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Hungary; Prof. Borhy Laszlo, Rector of ELTE University; Prof. Hamar Imre, Vice-Rector for International Affairs and Director of the Confucius Institute at ELTE University; Prof. Li Denggui, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at ELTE. Over 100 people attended the event, including the Vice-Rectors of ELTE, leaders of Chinese companies, directors of other Confucius Institutes in Hungary, and representatives of partner institutions. And many leaders of Chinese companies located in Hungary, directors of other Confucius Institutes in Hungary, representatives of partner institutions, and other important guests were invited to attend the event.

Participants of the 15th-anniversary celebration of ELTE Confucius Institute

The Rector of ELTE University, Prof. Borhy Laszlo, delivered a welcome address. His presentation outlined the activities and accomplishments of the ELTE Confucius Institute over the past fifteen years. Additionally, he acknowledged its significant contribution to teaching Chinese, cultural communication, teacher education, and the advancement of Sino-Hungarian relations.

Speech by Prof. Borhy Laszlo

Deputy Minister of Culture and Innovation of Hungary, Dr. Vitalyos Eszter, delivered a speech delving into many literacy references that drew parallels between China and Hungary related to culture and thinking. In addition, she has pointed out that Hungary should pay attention to both East and West, and that the knowledge and way of thinking of the Chinese may also contribute to stimulating a dynamic innovation in Hungary.

Speech by Dr. Vitalyos Eszter

The State Secretary of Hungary, Dr. Pacsay-Tomassich Orsolya, began her speech by mentioning the history of friendly relations between Hungary and China. In her remarks, she emphasized the effectiveness of Confucius institutes in Hungary, in particular the ELTE Confucius Institute, which has enabled many Hungarian diplomats familiar with the Chinese language and culture to work in China on behalf of Hungary, thereby bolstering bilateral cooperation and increasing Chinese awareness of Hungary. This combination of factors is conducive to the continuation of positive relations between the two nations. It is her hope that the Confucius Institute will continue to progress in the future and will contribute to the development of successful relations between China and Hungary.

Message from State Secretary Dr. Pacsay-Tomassich Orsolya

According to the Chinese Charge d'affaires, Mr. Liu Bo, against the backdrop of the COVID-19 epidemic, both investment and trade have increased rather than declined between the two countries, bucking a broadly positive trend. In the CEE region, Hungary is the largest investment destination for China, and more investments are expected to come to Hungary this year. Furthermore, he mentioned that Chinese companies are willing to provide employment opportunities to ELTE students.

Speech by Charge d'affaires Mr. Liu Bo

A letter from Ambassador Mr. Qi Dayu was read out by Counsellor Mr. Chen Kun. The ambassador noted in his letter of congratulations that ELTE is an internationally renowned university, and that the ELTE Confucius Institute uses language as a medium for establishing a unique channel for exchange and communication between the two countries. After 15 years of construction and development, the ELTE Confucius Institute has become a platform for the promotion of the Chinese language and the study of China, and a link between young students of the two countries, playing an essential role in cultural and educational cooperation and humanistic exchanges between China and Hungary. He hopes the ELTE Confucius Institute will continue to play its role as a cultural foundation, further promote cultural communication between China and Hungary, as well as contribute to the development of mutual understanding between the young generations of the two countries.

Mr. Chen Kun, Education Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Hungary, reads out a congratulatory letter from the Chinese Ambassador in Hungary, Qi Dayu

The President of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), Prof. Yang Dan, presented a video message congratulating ELTE Confucius Institute on its 15th anniversary. Prof. Yang recalled the history of the ELTE Confucius Institute and pointed out that it has become a comprehensive model of Chinese language teaching, cultural exchange, and academic research, and has positively contributed to the development of Chinese language teaching in Central and Eastern Europe. Therefore, BFSU is willing to join hands with ELTE to write a new chapter of ELTE Confucius Institute in accordance with the traditional friendship.

Video congratulation by Prof. Yang Dan

The Hungarian director of the ELTE Confucius Institute, Prof. Hamar Imre, made an address commemorating the institution's 15 years of illustrious service. Six Chinese deans have been responsible for leading the Confucius Institute, as well as 237 Chinese teachers, 25,000 students, and 76 partner schools. Among its activities are 4,804 language exams, 157 lectures, 24 seminars, and over 800 cultural events. Moreover, the institute has received two awards for "Advanced Confucius Institutes" and two awards for "Advanced Confucius Institute Directors." It is among the first 15 model Confucius Institutes and is the only regional teacher training center recognized by the Chinese government.

Speech by Prof. Imre Hamar

Following this, the choir of the ELTE Music and Art Institute performed for the guests the Chinese folk song "Jasmine Flower." Furthermore, the lion dance performance by the Chan Wu Association, the guzheng solo "Dream of long Sleeve Dance," performance of the face changing in Sichuan Opera, and the kung fu performance by the Dragon Sword Association also won the guests' enthusiastic applause.

Singing Performance "Jasmine Flower"

Lion Dance Performance

Guzheng Performance "Dream of long Sleeve Dance"

Sichuan Opera Face Changing Performance

Kung Fu Performance

Over the past 15 years, the ELTE Confucius Institute has accumulated a wealth of experience and achieved great success. In addition to receiving numerous awards, it has also become one of the oldest and largest Confucius Institutes throughout the world. It is expected that the ELTE Confucius Institute will continue to build on its past successes, write new chapters, and achieve even greater glories in the future.

Author: Lu Yinyin
Pictures: Economic Times, Gájász Enikő
Reviewer: Li Denggui
English Translator: Gájász Enikő, Xu Luxi
Article Provided by ELTE Confucius Institute