Annual Sum-up Meeting and the First "Confucius Cup" Chinese Speech and Chinese Talent Competition
Confucius Institute at the University of Sarajevo
To better understand the learning effects of Chinese language and Chinese talents of Confucius Institute students, to evaluate the teachers' teaching level in the past year, to improve the overall teaching quality, to lay a better foundation for the next year's teaching and cultural activities, to highlight the characteristics of the Confucius Institute, and to promote Chinese language teaching and the acknowledgment of Chinese culture, the Confucius Institute at the University of Sarajevo (CI UNSA) held the annual sum-up meeting and the first "Confucius Cup" Chinese speech and Chinese talent competition on December 28, after holding a teaching seminar on December 26, 2019, at the premises of CI UNSA.
After the registration and the preliminary competition, 6 candidates entered the final competition of Chinese Speech and 19 of them entered the Chinese Talent Competition. More than 80 people, including teachers and students from CI UNSA, local people, as well as people from Germany, Malaysia, Indonesia, Greece, and other countries, joined the event. The Speech finalists expressed their love for the Chinese language and Chinese culture out of their experiences and feelings from Chinese language learning, participating in summer camps and other events, and Chinese Film Week, etc. In the Chinese Talent Competition, the candidates performed Taichi, Taichi Fan, Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Exercises), Chinese calligraphy and paper cutting, etc., winning warm applause from the audience.
Chinese Director Mr. La Weixin and teachers of CI UNSA awarded certificates and souvenirs with Chinese cultural characteristics to the winners and contestants and expressed good wishes and New Year greetings. Nedim Kapetanović, who won the first place in the Chinese Talent Competition for his wonderful performances of Taichi and Wu Qin Xi, said excitedly after the game, "I am a sailor, and used to be often at sea. I cannot participate in vigorous activities due to physical reasons. I learned that they offer Taichi and Wu Qin Xi classes in CI UNSA. Then I decided to participate. After more than two years of exercise, I did not only train my body but also won the first place. I am very happy. I will continue to learn and invite more people to join the cultural exchange team and do my best for the development of the Confucius Institute." Jasna Čičić, who won the first place in Chinese Speech Competition, said, "I learned Chinese at the Confucius Institute, and I only won the third place in Chinese Bridge Competition in BiH last year. Later I participated in the summer camp and went to the Northwest Normal University for a cultural experience. I was very impressed. China is so beautiful. I like beef noodles. I want to win first place in the Chinese Bridge Competition in BiH and to enter the finals and compete in China."
The participants in this competition included students from preschool, elementary school, middle school, college and community adult classes from 6 to more than 50 years old. They made a great performance and showed the teaching level and quality of CI UNSA. Local media and digital media have reported the event.