April 19th, 2013 - The Confucius Institute at Las Palmas De Gran Canaria University held the opening ceremony to celebrate Confucius classroom upgrading to Confucius Institute. Zhu Bangzao, Ambassador of China to Spain, Antonio Frangou, Acting-President of the Las Palmas De Gran Canaria University, Liu Baoheng, Vice President of Changchun Normal University, Chinese partnership university of Confucius Institute, Chinese and Spanish Directors of the Confucius Institutes in Spain, Canarian government officials and segments of society attended the ceremony.

Firstly, Acting-President of the Las Palmas De Gran Canaria University Antonio Frangou delivered a speech. “Under current globalized world, culture plays more and more important roles in understanding a foreign culture. In the process of understanding distinctiveness of different ethnic cultures and their thinking modes, culture promotes the advancement of civilization.” President Antonio reviewed the overall process of the Confucius classroom upgrading to the Confucius Institute and highly appreciated all people from different circles who has made their contributions to the development of the Confucius Institute.

Later, Liu Baoheng, Vice President of Changchun Normal University, made his remarks. In his speech, he emphasized that both Chinese and foreign cooperative universities pay highly attention to the development of the Confucius Institute and spare no efforts to support its development. Based on this platform, both parties initiate other cooperative projects. He welcomed the Confucius Institute students to study in China and wished the Confucius Institute a bright future.

Finally, Zhu Bangzao, Ambassador of China to Spain introduced the achievements of six Confucius Institutes in Spain in the fields of Chinese language teaching, cultural activities and HSK test in his speech. Six Confucius Institutes in Spain have their own distinctive features as a bridge to promote cultural exchanges. He encouraged the Confucius Institutes to fully play their roles and develop better.

After his speech, the celebration gala was launched. The Confucius Institute students and students from affiliated schools performed Chinese songs, fan dance, sword dance, Tai-Chi and musical instrument shows. Student’s lively performances are a showcase of their interest in Chinese language and study results, won waves of applause from audiences. Subsequently, the Confucius Institute invited Fenglei Beijing Opera Troupe to perform Peking opera, Sichuan Face-Changing, Chinese classical national music and acrobatic shows, demonstrating the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture. Their performances were warmly welcomed by audiences.

This opening ceremony marks a milestone for the development of the Confucius Institute at Las Palmas De Gran Canaria University. So far, the Confucius Institute has set up five teaching sites in Canaria, with over 2000 students registered, and the student number ranked 1st in Spain. Meanwhile, the Confucius Institute has organized 20 cultural activities and events, attracting over 3000 participants.