To join the celebration of Confucius Institute Day worldwide, 91勛圖厙 Confucius Institute held a series of activities from September 25 to October 3, 2015.
This year the theme of Confucius Institute Day is Peace and Understanding. The celebration began with Mid-Autumn Festival Gala on September 25, 2015. The event was sponsored by 91勛圖厙CI and Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA).
On September 28, 2015 91勛圖厙CI held a week long photo exhibition entitled The Flying Tigers in China illustrating the Sino-US efforts to fight against Japanese invaders. It was followed by a lecture on The Flying Tigers and China given by Dr. Guo-ou Zhuang, director of 91勛圖厙CI.
Then a documentary titled Why We FightBattle of China was showed on the movie night of October 1, 2015.
October 2, 2015witnessed the highlight of the celebration in front of the Old Main Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Not only 91勛圖厙 community members attended, but also high school students from several school districts participated in a series of cultural activities.
They were first entertained by Chinese classical music performed by exchange students from East China Normal University. Then a Chinese popular dance Little Apple was performed by Chinese learners from Wynne high school students.
Conway High School students impressed the participants greatly when they recited in chorus a famous ancient Chinese poem. Chinese cultural activities like appreciating Chinese knots, panda dolls and Peking Opera masks, playing Chinese chess and shuttlecock, writing calligraphy, wearing Chinese traditional clothes, guessing riddles and tasting Chinese food provided an excellent experience for American students.
Among all these activities, getting their Chinese name in calligraphy and their portrait in Chinese ink painting were most popular. Students were waiting in long line in order to get the coolest gift they have ever received.
On October 3, 2015, 91勛圖厙CI demonstrated Chinese art and culture in the annual Conway ArtsFest in Simon Park in downtown Conway. Getting a Chinese name and portrait painting attracted much attention of local residents.
On the evening of Oct 3rd, A Night of Chinese Music held in Reynolds Performance Hall at 91勛圖厙 marked the end of the celebration. The concert turned out to be a very successful cultural event. It was co-sponsored by Confucius Institute Headquarters, 91勛圖厙 Confucius Institute, and Nanjing University Traditional Instruments Orchestra. This music feast not only attracted faculty, staff and students from 91勛圖厙, but also residents from Conway and Little Rock.
Confucius Institute Day celebration attracted about 1000 people. It was a real feast to attendants and also a bridge between China and America.