• Submitted by: manso
• Arts and Culture
• 09 / 29 / 2010

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The Confucius Institute of Cuba, located inside the Juan Abrantes Stadium of the University of Havana, opens its doors on again for the new school year. Inaugurated on November 30, 2009, the institute aims at promoting the Mandarin language and Chinese culture in Cuba.

Sponsored by the Beijing Language and Culture University and the University of Havana, the institute offers a free-of-charge, three-year course after which students graduate with mid-level proficiency in Mandarin.

The school’s syllabus includes English as a second foreign language, Spanish, translation, interpreting, Chinese culture, computing science and physical education.

In a conversation with JR, the executive director of the Institute, Arsenio Alemán, said that the Cuban institute is part of a worldwide program, which includes 288 Confucius Institutes in 82 nations.

Another characteristic that differentiates the Cuban subsidiary from the rest is that it counts with native Chinese teachers, said Alemán.

This year, on occasion of the 50th anniversary of China-Cuba relations, the institute has organized a wide program of activities, along with the University of Havana. Activities include a photo exhibition featuring transcendental moments of the 50-year friendship between the Cuban and the Chinese people; a seminar; movies exhibitions; and a special gala with the Cuban National Ballet.

The Confucius Institutes are non-profit public institutions that aim to promote Chinese language and culture and support local Chinese teaching internationally. The headquarters is in Beijing and is under the Office of Chinese Language Council International

By: Nylian Vázquez García

Source: Cubarte