This summer was special for our institute, because we organized a dreamed and long-planned children's summer camp. The camp operated in one shift this year - from June 27. until July 1.
The varied and active program of the camp attracted the attention of not only the children studying with us and their parents - for some it was the first and, we hope, unforgettable acquaintance with the Chinese language and culture. Children in two groups - beginner and advanced - learned Chinese for 5 days by singing Chinese songs, repeating commonly used phrases and writing hieroglyphs. Here we introduced them to a special kind of art - calligraphy and taught them to write their first hieroglyph. Every morning we practiced in the spirit of the martial arts of the Shaolin monks. Children were given the opportunity to try archery, to feel what it means to hold a sword and other necessary combat attributes. In the introductory lessons, we not only introduced the children to Chinese opera, the main points of Chinese etiquette, but also knitted a Chinese knot together and wove a bracelet for a friend.
Here we not only studied, but also made friends and had fun, playing with new Chinese table games, reading books, delving into traditional Chinese clothing and dressing up in clothes from different periods.
Teachers with diplomas and many years of experience with children both in Lithuania and China worked at the camp.
At the closing ceremony held at the end of the camp, the children were able to demonstrate to their parents the knowledge of the Chinese language they had acquired during the week and together with the Chinese instructors Liang Wenming and Wang Junli organized a martial arts performance. At the celebration, we tasted Chinese delicacies, shared impressions and good emotions, which, we believe, will not fade next summer at the camp that children are already waiting for. Excellent feedback from parents encourages such activities to continue!
The Confucius Institute of Vilnius University is a place where traditional Chinese culture spreads, and we, specialists in Chinese culture, are happy to present it to those who are interested - we create an uninterrupted dialogue between cultures, which encourages not only to get to know another, but also to delve deeper into the cultural layers of our country.