From February 9 to March 13, 2026, the Belarus State Economic University (BSEU) hosted the Chinese Culture Festival titled “China. The Great Heritage.” The event aimed to strengthen relations between the Republic of Belarus and the People’s Republic of China. The festival was curated and organized by Elena A. Malashenko, Dean of the Faculty of International Business Communications, together with Chinese language instructors V.Y. Nazarenko, T.A. Fomenok, K.A. Linevich, O.N. Kudashova, Zhang Hairong, Liu Hui, and Meng Jialiang.
Participants fully immersed themselves in the festival atmosphere. They explored the art of calligraphy and painting, became acquainted with traditional cuisine, studied aspects of Eastern philosophy, and learned more about the cultural traditions of the Celestial Empire.
In order to speak a foreign language, it is essential to understand its culture and communicate with native speakers. Students of BSEU have such an opportunity. Native-speaking instructors of the Faculty of International Business Communications – Zhang Hairong, Liu Hui, and Meng Jialiang – invited students to try themselves as calligraphers and learn how to use traditional Chinese brushes and ink. Instructor V.Y. Nazarenko introduced students to the traditions of celebrating the Chinese New Year. Instructor K.A. Linevich delivered a lecture entitled “Etiquette in Business Communication” with a linguistic focus. Instructor T.A. Fomenok organized an event with a linguistic component titled “The Culture and Etiquette of Using Chopsticks in China, Japan, and Korea.” Instructor O.N. Kudashova conducted an interactive workshop “What a Chinese Character Conceals: Radicals, Images, and Hidden Meanings.” Instructor Meng Jialiang delivered a thematic lecture “The History of Chinese Painting,” while instructor Liu Hui presented a lecture “Contemporary Fashion in China.” Students studying Chinese from the Faculty of International Business Communications and the Faculty of International Economic Relations actively participated in these events.
Inspired by their new discoveries, the students presented their competition works, including drawings, origami, and handmade fans, which now decorate the Confucius Classroom (rooms 2/303 and 2/203).
Prize winners of the competition “Painting. Decorative Elements in Chinese Culture” were:
1st place – Kristina Ostrianko
2nd place – Glafira Levitskaya
3rd place – Alina Evremova
Prize winners of the competition “Painting. China Through the Eyes of Belarusian Students” were:
1st place – Ekaterina Melnikova
2nd place – Alexandra Dudko
3rd place – Anastasia Alaeva
Winners of the competition “Chinese Calligraphy” were:
1st place – Elena Shpakovskaya
2nd place – Elina Pishch
3rd place – Kristina Linich
The prizes were purchased using funds provided by the Headquarters of the Confucius Institute (PRC) to support the operation of the Confucius Classroom of the Republican Institute of Sinology named after Confucius at Belarusian State University at the Belarus State Economic University in the 2025–2026 academic year.
The festival enabled BSEU students to immerse themselves in the boundless world of Chinese culture and enhance their cultural awareness.
