On February 12, 2025, the Confucius Institute at UKIM hosted a vibrant Lantern Festival Gala at the National Opera and Ballet in Skopje, marking the grand finale of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Mr. Xu Lei, Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in North Macedonia, and Mr. Ljupcho Malenkov, President of the Macedonian-Chinese Association of Friendship and Cooperation, attended the event, along with nearly 200 guests, including students, parents, teachers, and other distinguished attendees.
Before the performances, Mr. Xu Lei and the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, Prof. Liao Wei, addressed the audience and spoke about the significance of cultural exchange and the importance of such celebrations in strengthening ties between the two nations.
The evening featured diverse performances, including a heartfelt choir rendition of The Same Song, Songs and Smile, and Bitola, My Hometown, symbolizing friendship between the nations. A captivating Mongolian male dance and a traditional Chinese dance, along with The Moon Represents My Heart performed by local students and teachers, further showcased the fusion of cultures.
Through events like this, the Confucius Institute continues to foster an appreciation of Chinese culture in North Macedonia, strengthening the bond between the two countries.
