Confucius Institute

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Confucius Institute

Sibiu Confucius Institute was the first Confucius Institute in Romania. Established on August 29, 2006, through the joint efforts of Beijing Language and Culture University and Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, it officially commenced operations on November 18, 2007. ​

Established on August 29, 2006, through the joint efforts of Beijing Language and Culture University and Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, it officially commenced operations on November 18, 2007. Currently, the institute operates in eight cities across five provinces, with three Confucius Classrooms, three Chinese-language corners in libraries, and a total of eighteen teaching sites.

 

The Chinese language teaching at the Sibiu Confucius Institute includes Chinese courses for the “Chinese+” bilingual majors at the University of Sibiu (Chinese + English/German/French/Romanian), as well as courses for primary and secondary schools and children’s classes.

Additionally, it offers courses such as spoken Chinese, business Chinese, and Chinese cultural programs like guzheng and guqin.

In October 2010, the Chinese major was officially established at the university, making it the first Chinese major worldwide to be established by a Confucius Institute.

In 2018, the “Sibiu Chinese Language Teacher Training Center” and the “Romanian Traditional Chinese Medicine Promotion Center” were founded.

Latest Confucius Institute news and events

 

1. Spring Festival Series Activities – Year of the Snake

During the 2025 Spring Festival season, the Sibiu Confucius Institute organized a series of online and onsite celebrations themed the Year of the Snake, in collaboration with schools and partner institutions across Romania.

The Virtual Spring Festival Gala, “Endless Prosperity, Eternal Vitality,” featured songs, Hanfu dances, and guzheng performances by students from Vâlcea, Deva, Pitești, Bucharest, and Sibiu, along with a festive lucky draw.

Onsite activities offered immersive cultural experiences:

  • Chinese New Year traditions and songs for children at the Finnish School in Sibiu

  • Calligraphy workshops and ink-blown art at the Vâlcea Library

  • Tai Chi, paper-cutting, lantern riddles, and guzheng performances at the Deva Hunedoara Library

  • Creative workshops in Pitești inspired by the myth of Nüwa and the symbolism of the character 福 (fortune)

Through artistic activities, cultural presentations, and interactive workshops, the program engaged participants of all ages and strengthened understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture in Romania.

 

 

2. International Chinese Language Day

On April 11–12, 2025, the Confucius Institute at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu celebrated International Chinese Language Day under the theme “Chinese: A Gift Across Time and Space.” The opening ceremony welcomed diplomatic representatives, academic leaders, and over 100 students and community members.

The event showcased Chinese language and culture through:

  • Traditional dance and guzheng performances

  • Calligraphy and tea art demonstrations

  • Hands-on workshops (mask painting and sachet making)

  • A Hanfu fashion showcase in Sibiu’s historic square

  • An introduction to Mahjong and a Chinese film screening

The celebration highlighted Chinese as both a communication tool and a gateway to cultural heritage, promoting mutual understanding and people-to-people exchange between China and Romania.

 

 

3. Regional Cultural Outreach Activities

Between May and June 2025, the Sibiu Confucius Institute conducted extensive cultural outreach activities across Romania, strengthening cooperation with regional teaching sites and local communities.

Activities included:

  • Cultural workshops and introductory Chinese language lessons

  • Calligraphy, paper-cutting, panda painting, and personalized Chinese name bookmarks

  • Ba Duan Jin exercises and traditional games such as Gomoku and shuttlecock kicking

The institute hosted students and teachers from Decebal High School in Deva, organized workshops in Făgăraș, participated in the Children’s Day event “Magia Copilăriei” in Șelimbăr, and held a major cultural event in Pitești with nearly 100 participants from multiple teaching sites.

These initiatives generated enthusiastic participation and significantly increased interest in Chinese language and culture among Romanian youth, while strengthening cultural ties between China and Romania.