(Reporter: Sun Chaobing, Li Xinyue) On February 22, 2025, the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Paderborn Confucius Institute was held in the City Theatre of Paderborn. Mr. Huang Wei, Minister-counsellor of the Education Section of the Chinese Embassy in Germany, Mr. Michael Dreier, Mayor of Paderborn City, Mr. Heinz Paus, former Mayor and Council Chairman of the Konfuzius-Freunde Westfalen e.V., and other Chinese and German political leaders, educators, directors of ten Confucius Institutes in Germany, representatives from all sectors of society and outstanding students of Confucius Institutes gathered together to witness this important moment.

Retrospect and Prospect

At 15:00 that afternoon, the first event of the celebration officially commenced. Mr. Heinz Paus, in his welcome speech, recalled the hardships and perseverance of the Confucius Institute at the beginning of its establishment, and expressed gratitude to all partners who have supported the development of the Paderborn Confucius Institute.

Mr. Huang Wei, in his address, fully affirmed the positive role of the  Paderborn Confucius Institute in promoting Chinese-German friendly relations and facilitating cultural exchange. He emphasized that the Confucius Institute is not only a bridge for Chinese-German communication, but also a vital window for the German people to understand China. He particularly thanked Xidian University, the Chinese partner institution, for its years of support, which has provided a solid academic foundation and a high-quality faculty team for the development of the Confucius Institute, playing a significant role in advancing educational cooperation between China and Germany.

Prof. Shen Yulong, the Director of the Division of International Cooperation and Exchange of Xidian University, congratulated the 10th anniversary of the Confucius Institute via video. “Over the past decade, the Paderborn Confucius Institute has not only been a palace for language teaching but also a bridge connecting Chinese-German friendship. This achievement has been made possible through the strong support of the Paderborn municipal government, the Konfuzius-Freunde Westfalen e.V., Paderborn University, and the German public. In the future, both sides will join hands to explore more diverse and in-depth forms of exchange, co-authoring a new chapter of cultural integration.” he said.

Following this, Mr. Richard Erb, a seasoned expert in Chinese-German cross-cultural relations, delivered a speech titled “Wisdom Across Time and Space: A Dialogue between Confucian Thought and Contemporary Society”. He provided a profound analysis of the modern value of Confucian thought, which sparked deep reflection and resonance among the audience, further enhancing the German public's understanding of Confucius and the significance of the Confucius Institute.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mrs. Simone Probst, Vice President of Paderborn University and German Vice Chair of the Confucius Institute, presented Mr. Heinz Paus with an honorary certificate conferred by Xidian University, in recognition of the Chairman's significant contributions to Chinese-German relations.

Music and Culture Together Play Friendship Chapter

The celebratory concert commenced at 17:00, with Mr. Michael Dreier delivering the opening address. In his speech, he highly commended the active role of the Paderborn Confucius Institute in fostering Chinese-German friendship and promoting language and cultural exchange. He particularly noted that the gathering of directors from Confucius Institutes across Germany at the celebration fully demonstrated the unity and cooperation within the Confucius Institute family, as well as showcasing the broad prospects for cultural exchange between China and Germany.

At the celebratory concert, Ms. Lea Dunkel, the outstanding students of the Paderborn Confucius Institute acted as hosts. The concert open to all members of the public. The 90-minute performance combined Chinese and Western musical and artistic elements. The passionate performance of London Thames Spring Tide Ensemble, the clash of pipa, erhu, guzheng and Western piano, and the graceful dance performance, offered the audience a refreshing audio-visual feast. As the concert drew to a close, soprano singer Duan Xiaotong, dressed in a red gown and holding roses, brought the atmosphere to a climax with the song "My Lips Are So Hot with Kisses." In the encore, the guests passionately presented "Jasmine Flower" and "Dance of Youth," prompting the entire audience to spontaneously rise to their feet, offering the performers the warmest tribute with prolonged applause. The venue was filled with warmth and emotion, showcasing the boundless charm of music that transcends language and culture.

A Decade of Journey, A Future Full of Promise

Since its establishment in 2015, the Paderborn Confucius Institute has consistently adhered to the philosophy that "Language is the Bridge of Communication, Culture is the Bond of the Soul." It has offered Chinese language courses ranging from beginner to advanced levels and has actively organized events such as the "Chinese Bridge" competition, language exchange programs, and scholarship initiatives. Furthermore, the institute has become a vital platform for local residents to understand Chinese culture through activities like calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, tea art, and traditional festival celebrations.

Prof. Zhang Xinliang, the Chinese Chairman of the Confucius Institute and President of Xidian University, sent a celebration message for the 10th anniversary of the Paderborn Confucius Institute:

“For the past decade, the institute has been dedicated to promoting Chinese language education and disseminating Chinese culture, building a solid bridge for enhancing understanding and friendship among nations. Looking ahead, we anticipate that the Confucius Institute will continue to expand the breadth and depth of cultural exchange, infuse new vitality into global educational cooperation, and write an even more splendid chapter!”

This celebration is not only a reflection on the journey of the past ten years but also an expectation and commitment to future cooperation. The Paderborn Confucius Institute will take the 10th anniversary as a new starting point, continue to strengthen collaboration with various sectors in China and Germany, promote more diverse and rich cultural exchange programs, and make greater contributions to advancing the friendly relations between the two countries.