SOFIA — It is hard to imagine that someone living on the other side of the world could be interested in your culture as the result of just a handful of encounters. However, The Story of China — How and Why, a series of activities in Bulgaria, is proving this possible.

The recent program sought to enhance understanding of traditional Chinese culture and strengthen ties between the two nations. Eleven prominent experts visited cities like Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo and Plovdiv to share insights into Chinese civilization through philosophy, history, literature and art.

Public seminars explored the evolution of Chinese culture and compared Chinese and European traditions. Topics included philosophy, traditional medicine, ancient architecture and classical poetry, all of which drew significant interest from the audience.

One highlight was a lecture given by Zhang Peng and Chen Pingyi titled What Is the Quintessence of Chinese Culture — On the Charm of Peking Opera. Attendees even tried playing the jinghu, a traditional Peking Opera instrument. Zhang, who is a seasoned performer and researcher, said he was thrilled by the enthusiasm. "Things here exceeded my expectations," he said.

Audience member Miglena Tzenova, who tried the jinghu, called the experience "beyond description". Despite her background as a pianist, she was playing a string instrument for the first time. "I really like Chinese music, culture and especially traditional opera," she said.

Chen, a well-known jinghu teacher, highlighted an audience question about whether children still study Peking Opera. He explained that specialized schools in Beijing and Shanghai begin training students as young as 11.

Gong Baorong, another expert, was surprised by the general knowledge of Chinese opera. "I didn't realize so many Bulgarians are interested in Chinese culture," he said.

University students Kalina Gerginova and Mihaela Parvanova, both of whom have study experience in China, said the events deepened their understanding. Parvanova, who found Chinese opera incomprehensible at first, said meeting performers in person made it more accessible. "It's one thing to see it onstage, but another to engage directly with practitioners," she explained.

Beyond Peking Opera, other events included a meeting with poet Yu Jian, where attendees discussed his work and explored new perspectives on his poetry. In Targovishte, lectures about Chinese philosophy and medicine were also well-received, with the audience showing interest in healthcare methods.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce and organized by the Shandong Foreign Trade Vocational College, the program successfully bridged cultures, sparking deeper interest and understanding among Bulgarians.

Xinhua