The Official Start of China Week
China Week activities get underway at the Offical Opening Ceremonies event. 
Over thirty pieces of Artwork are on display in Loyola 290 
Musicians from Xiamen University in China perform two traditional Chinese folk songs. |
Over thirty pieces of colourful artwork painted the perfect scene in the Loyola Conference Room for the Opening Ceremonies of Saint Mary’s University’s ‘China Week’, an event that honours the University’s new Confucius Institute.
The festivities for the three day event got underway with a number of speeches in both English and Chinese. A stage flanked with flags from both China and Canada further exemplified the friendship and cooperation the two countries share.
Guests for the event included faculty, staff, students and community members who came together to mark the beginning of the cultural event, to recognize the hard work of the Confucius Institute for bringing the Chinese culture to campus, and to recognize the importance of the Institute as the 8th of its kind in Canada
In attendance were members of the delegation from Xiamen University including Vice-President Hongkai Lai, Halifax MLAs Diana Whalen and Leonard Preya, Saint Mary’s University President Dr. J Colin Dodds, Vice President David Gauthier and the Head of the Chinese Society of Nova Scotia, Tang Hong.
“This is a celebration of Chinese language and culture made possible through our partnership with Xiamen University and Hanban,” said Dr. Gauthier as he greeted guests at the event.
“Our partnership and friendship began many years ago and it’s through that friendship that a Confucius Institute has been established at Saint Mary’s University.”
Although the China Week event marks the official beginning to the Confucius Institute, Dr. Gauthier said that in the months to come there will be many events to further solidify the Institute’s role and presence at Saint Mary’s University.
Halifax MLA Diana Whalen said she believes the Institute will not only enrich the life and culture of Saint Mary’s University, but also the entire province of Nova Scotia.
Her sentiments were shared by the Nova Scotia House of Assembly as she read a letter of congratulations from the House.
“Members in the this House of Assembly join me in congratulating the joint directors of the Institute, Dr. Bill Sewell and Dr. Maria Wei Pan and the Saint Mary’s Confucius Institute on their official opening and wish them every success in the future.”
In his address to the visitors, President Dodds spoke of the importance of building a stronger relationship with Xiamen University and the opportunities both universities will share in the years to come.
“Friendship is Key,” said President Dodds. “We look forward to the future with great confidence.”
To conclude the event, two musicians from the Xiamen University treated guests to two traditional Chinese folk songs played on two of oldest Chinese folk instruments, the flute and the erhu. Like the event itself, the music selected is symbolic of prosperity and good fortune.
Click here for a list of all China Week events.
This page last modified Tuesday, 22-Nov-2011 16:56:27 AST