April 26th, or April 25th local time in Spain, the Confucius Institute of University of Castilla - La Mancha in Spain undertaken by Nanchang University as entrusted by Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) was inaugurated in Charles Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha. It is the third overseas Confucius institute undertaken by Nanchang University after the Confucius Institute of University of Poitiers in France and the Confucius Institute of Hasanuddin University in Indonesia.
The opening ceremony kicked off in typical Chinese dragon and lion dance performance. Chinese and western artists, teachers and students presented wonderful Chinese dance, guzheng, violin and guitar music performance.
Chinese Ambassador to Spain Lv Fan, President Miguel Ángel Collado Yurrita of University of Castilla - La Mancha, Director Ángel Felpeto Enríquez of Education Bureau in Castilla - La Mancha of Spain, Vice President Xin Hongbo of Nanchang University, and Director Rosa Ana Rodríguez Perez of Tourism and Handicrafts Bureau of Toledo City, where the Confucius Institute locates, co-unveiled the nameplate of the Confucius Institute.
Ambassador Lv warmly congratulated the establishment of the Confucius Institute of University of Castilla - La Mancha. He pointed out that: “of University of Castilla - La Mancha, an important university in the third largest municipality of Spain, plays a positive role in training talents and developing the economy. Nanchang University, as a key university in China, has trained many excellent talents. Today, the Confucius Institute built by the two universities will further deepen cooperation between the two universities, enhance international reputation of both parties, act as a "bridge" of Chinese and Western cultures, and play an important role in Chinese and western cultural exchanges."
President Miguel Ángel Collado Yurrita said in his speech that: “The establishment of the Confucius Institute is a leap in the development of University of Castilla - La Mancha. It fills in the gap of official social and cultural exchange of the local area with China.” Director Ángel Felpeto Enríquez said: “The opening of Confucius Institute will provide a door of Chinese culture to Castilla - La Mancha in Spain. The collision of two cultures may spark splendidly. We are full of expectation."
Vice President Xin Hongbo expressed that: “The establishment of the Confucius Institute of University of Castilla - La Mancha is a flower of friendship between the two universities and will blow a new horn for our cooperation. I believe the Confucius Institute, as a cooperation platform, will turn a new page for education and culture communication between the two universities and even the two countries, further promote the good cooperation relationship between the two universities, and make new contributions to the cause of education and culture exchanges between China and Spain.
The representatives from 6 Confucius institutes all over Spain expressed their warm congratulations on the establishment of the Confucius Institute of University of Castilla - La Mancha. Xinhua News, Euro Chinese News, Euro Overseas Chinese News and local mainstream media made in-depth reports on the events.
Vice President Fátima Guadamillas Gómez of University of Castilla - La Mancha, Cultural Counselor Ms. Liu Wenqiu and Education Officer Ms. Zhong Xiwei of Chinese Embassy in Spain, representatives of other Confucius institutes in Spain, representatives of Nanchang University, local Chinese and overseas Chinese, representatives of Chinese overseas students and community visitors, nearly 200 people in total, attended the opening ceremony.
Edited by Zhou Yuanyuan
