Moldovan lyceum to resume Chinese language studies

18:50 | 17.02.2015 Category: Culture

Chisinau, 17 February /MOLDPRES/ - The Chisinau-based Mihail Sadoveanu theoretical lyceum will resume Chinese language studies in March, after a break of one year. Confucius Institute Director Ma Linjuan made statements to this effect at a today's event dedicated to the 2015 Chinese New Year.

According to Ma Linjuan, the Chinese language for the first time ever has been studied by children from the Lastaras kindergarten and students of the M. Berezovschi lyceum in Chisinau since September 2014. Students of the Socrates lyceum students from the capital have also being learning Chinese for many years. Over 600 Moldovan students learn Chinese at the Confucius Institute of the Free International University of Moldova, said Ma Linjuan.

Attending the same event, Chinese Ambassador to Moldova Tong Mingtao said that "the Chinese government annually provides scholarships for 20 Moldovan students. Usually, Moldovans go to study in China at economics, political science and commerce faculties. At the same time, six Chinese citizens are studying in Moldova. They chose the Faculty of Russian Language and Literature, "said Tong Mingtao.

The diplomat said the Chinese New Year 2015 would begin on 19 February, a holiday dating back about 4,000 years. "No matter where they are, all family members return to their parental home on this occasion. The happiest are children, who wear new clothes, attend shows with fireworks, as well as sugar figurines and red envelopes with money. The ever-present dishes on the table are sweet rice dumplings (Jiaozi), which symbolise the family reunion. When cooking, a coin is inserted into one of the dumplings. They say that the one who finds the coin will be lucky all year long," added Tong Mingtao.

On the occasion of the beginning of the 2015 Chinese New Year, a book exhibition on Chinese history, culture and civilization today was inaugurated at the Ion Creanga National Children's Library. The books were donated to the library by the Chinese Embassy and the Confucius Institute. At the same time, a photo exhibition "China in pictures" and another exhibition of Chinese handicrafts were opened.

Chinese New Year celebration activities end on the 15th day, with the Lantern Festival.

(Reporter D. Morari, Editor M. Jantovan)

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