On November 18, a series of cultural activities including a performance tour, a speech tour and an itinerant exhibition, which was launched by China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language(NOCFL), kicked off in Porter Auditorium at Wesleyan College. The art troupe consisted largely of performers from Guangzhou Art School, which is affiliated to GU. Confucius Institute at Wesleyan College was the major organizer of this tour. The art troupe presented a great cultural feast to citizens in Macon.
It should be noted that NOCFL initiated these significant cultural activities to bring into play the role of Confucius Institute in cultural transmission, and enrich the teaching content of Confucius Institute. Every year, NOCFL selects prestigious scholars and art troupes to spread Chinese culture and deepen our friendship with other countries. This tour attracted highly attention from Chinese and American governments since its preparation. Entrusted by NOCFL, Confucius Institute at Wesleyan College was responsible for the itinerary of the art troupe in the U.S. The art troupe finalized the schedule of performing in eleven schools in four states.
Leaders of Wesleyan College and Mr. Lu Xiangjun, President of the Middle Georgia Chinese-American Association presented at the welcoming ceremony hosted in Wesleyan College, the first stop of the tour. Dr. Vivia Fowler, Provost and Vice President of Wesleyan College, in her enthusiastic welcoming speech, thanked the art troupe for their contribution to Sino-US friendship. On November 19, performance entitled “China and the Silk Road” attracted great interest from the audiences in the forms of group dance, performance of Gu Zheng and Er Hu (Chinese ancient musical instruments), folk songs singing and dance of Chinese minority ethnic groups. Ms. Carolyn Crayton, initiator of the Cherry Blossom Festival, said this performance was the best among those she had watched. Ms. Betty Jean Slater, Chairman of the National Culture Promotion Association, also highly commended the show.
Confucius Institute at Wesleyan College endeavored to promote Chinese culture by participating in activities including International Food Festival and hosting activities such as movie appreciation. The following performances will be given at Stratford Academy and Macon Charter Academy which are affiliated to Wesleyan College.
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