Monrovia, April 19, 2025 — The Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia hosted a cultural event celebrating the 2025 “International Chinese Language Day” at the Chinese faculty residence activity room. Themed “Chinese: A Gift Across Time and Space”, the event featured a rich variety of activities, including a cultural lecture, awards ceremony for a hard-pen calligraphy competition, and hands-on Chinese cultural experiences.
Nearly 100 guests attended the event, including members of the 17th Chinese Medical Team to Liberia, China-aided Bamboo and Rattan Weaving Technical Assistance Project Team, Chinese language learners from the Confucius Institute, and journalists from more than ten major Liberian media outlets.
The event commenced with speeches from both the Chinese and Liberian Directors of the Confucius Institute. Chinese Director Zhou Hongzhuan emphasized that the Chinese language is not only a tool for communication but also a cultural gift that transcends time and space. She encouraged everyone to explore the spiritual essence of Chinese civilization while learning the language.
Liberian Director Dexter Sumo affirmed the significance of International Chinese Language Day in promoting language learning and cultural exchange. He encouraged teachers and students at the Institute to take this opportunity to deepen China-Liberia friendship and mutual cultural understanding.
Next, Teacher Huang Yu delivered a lecture titled “Chinese Arts: A Gift Across Time and Space.” The lecture, which echoed the April 12 episode of the “Chinese in the Air” program on LBS, explored the Six Arts and the Four Arts of the Chinese Scholars. It connected ancient traditions with modern life in an engaging and accessible way, captivating the audience.
Another highlight of the lecture was the explanation of the calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting pieces specially exhibited at the venue. Attendees were guided to appreciate brush and ink’s beauty and feel the cultural charm embedded in Chinese art.
Special thanks were extended to Professor Zheng Yanguo and Mr. Jiang Yucheng, whose artistic contributions added depth and aesthetic richness to the event.
The lecture concluded with a lively prize-winning Q&A session. Audience members actively participated, creating an enthusiastic and interactive atmosphere.
An award ceremony was also held for the 2025 Spring Poetry Hard-Pen Calligraphy Competition. Twenty students from the CIUL received awards. With each stroke of the pen, they demonstrated their love for Chinese characters and showcased the solid outcomes of their studies. The winning students expressed their determination to continue learning Chinese and strive for greater achievements in the future.
To end the event on a high note, a cultural experience session was held, creating a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. Guests had the opportunity to try the Game of Five-in-a-Row, a simplified version of the Go game, and Chinese calligraphy under the guidance of calligraphy student Wang Lang.
Many participants remarked that it was their first time using a brush or playing the Game of Five-in-a-Row. The hands-on experiences sparked fresh interest and deeper curiosity about Chinese culture.
This event marked the successful conclusion of the 2025 International Chinese Language Day series at the Confucius Institute, University of Liberia.
Through these engaging activities, local participants gained a deeper understanding of Chinese as “a gift across time and space,” and the series fully demonstrated the Confucius Institute’s vital role in promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and Liberia.
SOURCE: Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia.
