The Confucius Institute celebrated the 10th anniversary of the program worldwide along with the 7th year the Institute has been at NC State Tuesday in Talley Student Union. The Confucius Institute aims to present and share the Chinese language and culture with the University and the surrounding community.
The event included a Tai Chi presentation by Tang Xiaozhong and Yang Xiaowen, both Nanjing Normal University visiting professors.
The Confucius Institute teaches Chinese language and culture on campus, said Anna Fay Lamm, the Confucius Institute director. The Institute offers resources and scholarships to students, including study abroad programs to China.
“I came because I am interested in Chinese culture,” said Cynthia Molina, a junior studying international studies. “I am currently studying Chinese and am planning go to Nanjing, China to study abroad with the Confucius Institute for my degree program.”
The anniversary is the culmination of the yearlong events, with past ones including a Chinese Valentine’s Day during the Chinese New Year in the Brickyard, a dragon boat race at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre, a Chinese language competition and a martial arts troupe event, according to Lamm.
“We wanted to bring something to campus to teach students about what we are doing and to also share about diverse cultures,” Lamm said.
Hundreds of students passed by the tables and stopped to watch the Tai Chi performance.
November is International Education Month, and this is one of the many events that the Confucius Institute is offering to share Chinese language and culture.
In April, there will be a Chinese language competition on campus which will bring in students from all over the state and all the different ages that compete. There will also be a lot of conferences featuring many different language and culture groups, Lamm said.
Chinese New Year is an important time for the institute, with many different student organizations including sororities, fraternities and the Goodnight Scholars interested in learning about Chinese culture able to participate with other students.
“I came to NC State two years ago to participate in Chinese language competition,” Molina said. “I participated in the Confucius Institute at Central Carolina Community College and have continued participation with the Institute since transferring to NC State.”
There were numerous giveaways to students including cake, guava, crunchy peanut Chinese candies, sunglasses, as well as calligraphy and good luck charms to choose from, Molina said. Bao Bao the panda was also at the event to greet and take pictures with students.
