On September 19, Georgian Ambassador to China Paata Kalandadze and his delegation visited Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU), ushering in a new chapter in China-Georgia cultural exchanges. The ambassador joined BLCU's Chinese and Georgian faculty and students at the Mutual Learning Among Civilizations Square for the inauguration ceremony of the statue of Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli, witnessing the elevation of China-Georgia friendship. Accompanying the ambassador were Counselor Tina, First Secretary Natalie Kovachadze, Assistant to the Ambassador Tamuna Kvirikashvili, Wang Hongxin, and special guest Yuan Bo, Director of the Georgian Language Teaching and Research Office at the Asian College of Beijing Foreign Studies University. Attending the ceremony were BLCU President Duan Peng, Director of the University Office Li Zhijian, Executive Deputy Director of the Party Committee Publicity Department Huang Zhan, Director of the International Student Affairs Office Ma Xiaolei, Vice Dean of the Graduate School Wu Yi, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange Shen Yinghuan, Chief Expert of the International Chinese Education Practice and Research Base (BLCU) Chen Lixia, and representatives of BLCU's Georgian students. Major media outlets including CCTV, China Report, China Education Television, and Xinhua News Agency conducted on-site interviews and reports.
In his address, President Duan Peng stated that as a world-renowned university with coordinated development across multiple disciplines, BLCU is committed to advancing mutual understanding between China and the world and fostering mutual learning among diverse civilizations. It has trained nearly 300,000 international alumni from 189 countries and regions who are proficient in Chinese and familiar with Chinese culture, including renowned Georgian Sinologist Professor Marina and many other messengers of peace. BLCU has achieved a series of positive results in deepening China-Georgia language connectivity, promoting cultural exchanges, and facilitating mutual learning among civilizations. Last July, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and his delegation visited BLCU during their trip to China and unveiled the Rustaveli statue, composing a new chapter in BLCU's history of China-Georgia exchanges. Today's inauguration ceremony marks the continuation of a new chapter in China-Georgia exchanges. Looking ahead, BLCU will join hands with Georgia to focus on people-centered approaches, enhancing the professionalism of language talent cultivation; building on sincerity to deepen educational connectivity; and using language as a bridge to expand the connotations of mutual learning among civilizations.
Ambassador Paata Kalandadze remarked in his address that the embassy delegation's visit to BLCU today is an important event in the cultural exchanges and dialogue between China and Georgia. BLCU has trained many world-renowned Sinologists, including numerous diplomats who have made positive contributions to China-Georgia cultural exchanges. He expressed great delight that the statue of Shota Rustaveli has found a home at BLCU, which will further promote the development of relations between China and Georgia.
BLCU's first Georgian doctoral student, Marie, shared in her speech that last year, as a volunteer, she witnessed the profound foundation of China-Georgia cultural exchanges during the Georgian Prime Minister's visit to BLCU for the Rustaveli statue unveiling. Today, standing here again as a doctoral student, she witnesses China-Georgia cultural exchanges entering a brand-new stage. As a Georgian international student, she deeply feels the responsibility to promote China-Georgia cultural exchanges. She will continue to strive, becoming a bridge for bilateral friendship and contributing as a youth to China-Georgia cultural exchanges.
Under the witness of on-site guests, Ambassador Paata Kalandadze and President Duan Peng jointly cut the ribbon for the statue inauguration ceremony, officially installing the statue of poet Shota Rustaveli at BLCU. Shota Rustaveli is a symbol of Georgian culture, with his thoughts resonating profoundly with those of the great ancient Chinese poet Su Shi. Both poets revealed the brilliance of human nature through their words, pursuing truth and wisdom. As recited by BLCU's Georgian students from The Knight in the Panther's Skin: “Friends repeat with their hearts the eternal oath.” BLCU will build on the traditional friendship between China and Georgia, taking today's ceremony as a new starting point to connect hearts through language, enhance mutual understanding through culture, jointly build bridges for mutual learning among civilizations, and create a bright future for China and Georgia together!
(Edited by: Wen Wang)
