The Confucius Institute at the University of Central Arkansas (UCACI) celebrates its 10th anniversary with a grand banquet Thursday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m.
Dignitaries from the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Houston, Texas will join representatives from the Arkansas Department of Education, East China Normal University (ECNU), Arkansas school districts and senior staff from UCA will gather at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock for the banquet.
Also in celebration of the 10-year anniversary, seven musicians from ECNU will perform at the Snow Fine Arts Center at UCA on Friday, Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. with a reception at 9 p.m. Their performances will include famous Chinese pieces featuring violin, cello and piano. The group will also hold two performances in Hot Springs at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28 at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts and the First Presbyterian Church.
UCACI was founded in 2007 thanks to collaboration between the University of Central Arkansas and East China Normal University. The 23rd Confucius Institute founded in the United States, UCACI remains the only Confucius Institute in Arkansas. Since its founding, UCACI has dedicated itself to promoting the teaching of Chinese language and Chinese culture in Arkansas, from primary schools to college level. Thousands of Arkansas youth have benefited from the various language and cultural programs conducted by the UCACI. It has contributed to the university community in expanding faculty and student exchange between UCA and Chinese universities. Through its various cultural projects, from music concerts to Chinese festival celebrations, UCACI has enriched the cultural life of the local community. It has also played an important role in helping Arkansas attract Chinese businesses to invest in the state. The state assembly has commended the achievement of the Hanban Chinese teachers teaching in Arkansas, calling them ambassadors of the people.
More information about the UCACI 10-year anniversary can be obtained at Confucius@uca.edu or 501-852-5221.
