The Confucius Institute at the University of Szeged, along with Eötvös József High School and Kossuth Lajos Elementary School in Szeged, celebrated Chinese Language Day with a colorful professional conference that immersed attendees in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Chinese culture. The event showcased new Chinese-language programs being introduced at the University of Szeged, included presentations on how smart pens can support language learning, and highlighted the biggest challenges students face in the Chinese-language component of their high school graduation exam in Hungary. Adding an authentic touch, the visiting team from Zhejiang University of Agriculture and Forestry treated participants to traditional Chinese tea.
On April 16, 2025, attendees of the event held in celebration of the upcoming UN Chinese Language Day (April 20) were “transported” to China – if only for a day. Taking place at the ÁGOTA Cultural and Community Center and the adjacent Eötvös József High School in Szeged, the celebration was jointly organized by Eötvös József High School and the University of Szeged’s Confucius Institute. The day offered an engaging and authentic glimpse into Chinese culture, brought to life through performances and presentations by students from the Confucius Institute, Eötvös József High School, and Kossuth Lajos Elementary School.
Among the distinguished guests was Judit Plesovszkiné Ujfaluczki, Director of the Szeged District Education Center. The international dimension of the event was also reflected in a message from Han Dongsheng, Counselor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Hungary, who conveyed his well wishes in a letter. The letter was read aloud in Chinese by Prof. Dr. Wang Rui, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Szeged, and in Hungarian by Dr. Tibor Gera, Principal of Eötvös József High School in Szeged. In his message, the Counselor emphasized: “As economic and cultural ties between the two countries continue to deepen, the demand for professionals proficient in Chinese is growing rapidly in Hungary. This presents a historic opportunity for the development of international Chinese-language education in the country. Around the world, Confucius Institutes and classrooms serve as important platforms for Chinese-language instruction, providing rich learning resources and an excellent educational environment for students. Since its founding in 2012, the Confucius Institute at the University of Szeged has been actively dedicated to teaching the Chinese language and promoting Chinese culture.”
Photo: Han Xinyi
The event, which focused on important and timely issues in Chinese-language education, was also attended by Ms. Zou Yinli, National HR Manager at the limited liability company BYD Auto Hungary Kft., who is currently learning Hungarian. She was accompanied by her Hungarian colleague, Anita Tóth.
Dr. Béla Kempf, Assistant Professor at the Department of Altaic Studies within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Szeged, delivered a lecture on the Chinese-language program to be launched at the institution. A specialist in comparative and historical Altaic linguistics, Mongolian language history, and Turkic-Mongolic linguistic relations, Dr. Kempf emphasized the growing importance of Chinese in the 21st century, noting a steady increase in the number of Chinese-language learners. Although Chinese is taught at several higher education institutions across Hungary, there is currently no independent department dedicated to the subject outside of Budapest. At the University of Szeged, the Department of Altaic Studies is spearheading efforts to expand Chinese-language education and will introduce a new Chinese-language specialization beginning in September 2025.
Experts Vinkó Erzsébet, English teacher and senior educator at Eötvös József High School and Elementary School in Szeged, and Zheng Si’ao, Chinese-language instructor at the Confucius Institute of the University of Szeged, delivered a plenary lecture titled “The Future of Smart Pens in Blended Education.” Continuing the focus on practical issues in language teaching, Dr. Anett Gulyás, Assistant Professor at the Department of Chinese Studies within the Institute of International and Political Science at Pázmány Péter Catholic University – and also a sociologist and tourism expert – addressed various challenges surrounding Chinese-language examinations.
Adding to the range of expert perspectives, Zsuzsanna Karsai’s speech attracted significant attention. A Chinese-language instructor and doctoral student in Sinology at the Doctoral School of Linguistics at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), she also teaches both Chinese and cultural studies at the Hungarian–Chinese Bilingual Primary and Secondary School in Budapest.
Photo: Han Xinyi
The spirit of Chinese culture was powerfully expressed at the gathering by students from the Eötvös and Kossuth schools, contributing to an authentic and engaging atmosphere. The event also offered a sensory experience for the taste buds, featuring a tea art demonstration by students from Zhenjiang University of Agriculture and Forestry. Another highlight of the program was a captivating presentation by a delegation from Hangzhou University, who arrived in Szeged on April 15 as guests of the Confucius Institute at the University of Szeged. Specializing in international tea culture, the team offered participants a rich and immersive introduction to Chinese tea traditions through their live demonstration. Complementing the exquisite selection of teas, the university and the Sherry Restaurant Chain also served a variety of pastries, rounding out an experience that delighted all in attendance.
In the afternoon, the audience had the opportunity to attend roundtable discussions conducted in both Hungarian and English. During the Hungarian-language session, Mr. Cao Zhengyin, Chairman of the Board of the Sherry Restaurant Chain, Ms. Zhao Peizhen, Vice Chair of the Board, and literary translator Mr. Li Zhen shared personal insights and reflections on the topic ‘What It Means to Be Chinese in Hungary.’
Photo: Han Xinyi
Original Hungarian article and photo by Ferenc Lévai
