8th int'l scientific conference "Silk Road" kicks off in Bulgaria

SOFIA, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The 8th International Scientific Conference "The Silk Road" opened Friday in Sofia, covering topics such as linguistics, education, culture, diplomacy, economics, archaeology, traditional Chinese medicine, and martial arts.

The two-day biennial event, organized by the Confucius Institute at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski," presented 50 reports by researchers from countries including China, Bulgaria, Russia, Italy, India, Vietnam, Armenia, and Georgia.

At the opening ceremony, Guan Xin, cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy to Bulgaria, emphasized that understanding China requires tracing its cultural origins and grasping why its traditions have endured for millennia. He highlighted the vital role of sinologists and Chinese language experts as cultural bridges, helping to foster mutual understanding and overcome cross-cultural misunderstandings.

Guan also noted that the conference has become a significant platform for academic exchange and cultural dialogue between China, Bulgaria, and countries along the Silk Road.

Reneta Bozhankova, vice-rector for International Affairs at Sofia University, called the event "a prestigious conference," expressing confidence that it would inspire new avenues of cooperation and knowledge sharing.

Aksiniya Koleva, Bulgarian director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, extended gratitude to all participating scholars and enthusiasts of Chinese language and culture. She noted that since its founding in 2011, the conference has served as a platform for exchanging ideas on Eastern and Western languages, civilizations, and current developments in China and globally.

Angel Apostolov, chief expert in the Ministry of Education and Science's international cooperation department, underscored the event's significance both as a hub of scientific exchange and a symbol of strong Bulgarian-Chinese cultural ties. ■