On February 5th, Macedonia, in 2019, the Spring Festival Gala of the Confucius Institute at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University was successfully held at the National Library of Macedonia. Mr. Mao Qingwen, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Macedonia, Prof. Nikola Jankulovski, Rector of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, and Vice Rector Prof. Biljana Angelova, Mr. Frymzim Dauti, director of the National Library of Macedonia, Mr. Viktor Novakovski, Rector of NOVA International Middle School, and students of the Confucius Institute and more than 300 people from Macedonia attended this event.
Mr. Liao Wei, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, first delivered a speech. On behalf of Confucius Institute, he expressed warm welcome and sincere gratitude to the guests present, summarizing the results of the work of the Confucius Institute in 2018 and thank for supports to the Confucius Institute for a long time. Finally, he wished a happy new year for everyone!
Prof. Vlatko Stoilkov, Macedonian Director of the Confucius Institute at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, introduced the Chinese Zodiac to the audience and pointed out that this year is the Chinese Year of the Pig. He wishedeveryonehavegood health and good things in the Year of the Pig.
Later, students from the Confucius Institute presented preparing programs for everyone. The students in the children’s class were very happy, and a “Congratulations” officially opened the prelude to the party andblessings of the Spring Festival were also given to the guests present. The poetry of the freshman class was full of truth and sincerity. The sound of the song is powerful; a “Dengyuquelou” once again brought the audience into the quaint China, the classics will always be circulated; the children’s class students and NOVA International School students bring songs to the string, “Happy New Year “, “Jingle Bells”, “If you feel happy, you will clap your hands”, a classic song will pass on everyone to the scene; the song “Friends”, “The Dragon’s Successor”, “Listen to the Snow” , continue to present a more vivid and lively China in front of the audience to help the audience better understand China.
The students of the calligraphy class and the students of the freshman class also brought the words “Fu” and reading couplets, and introduced the meaning of “Blessing ” and the symbol of the couplet. The Chinese New Year atmosphere on the spot is getting increasingly warmer.
Finally, the chopsticks game was also popular by the audience. The audience who came to experience it was full of laughter.
The Spring Festival Gala provided the students of the Confucius Institute with an opportunity to exercise. At the same time, they also showed the Chinese culture more directly to the Macedonian people, especially the customs of the New Year, which helped the Macedonian people to understand the Confucius Institute and expanded the Confucius Institute. At the same time, it is conducive to Macedonian people to understand China and promote cultural exchanges between China and Macedonia.
（By Zhaojin, Wu Yingjuan）