Chen Ying (C), the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, and Aksiniya Koleva (L), the Bulgarian director, inaugurate a peony culture center in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 18, 2026. The Confucius Institute in Sofia on Saturday hosted a Chinese singing contest and inaugurated a peony culture center to celebrate this year's United Nations Chinese Language Day. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua)

SOFIA, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute in Sofia on Saturday hosted a Chinese singing contest and inaugurated a peony culture center to celebrate this year's United Nations Chinese Language Day.

Addressing the event, Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dai Qingli noted that this year also marked the 20th anniversary of the Confucius Institute in Sofia. She said the institute has not only opened doors to China's rich culture for Bulgarian students, but also played a unique role in promoting cultural exchanges between China and Bulgaria and deepening mutual understanding and friendship.

She also described the contest as a prominent symbol of Chinese language education in Bulgaria.

The singing contest, titled "Rose Melodies," was held for the seventh time and brought together 16 solo performers and 10 groups from across the country. The duo "Scarlet Sorghum" from Stara Zagora town won the group category, while 15-year-old Katerina Hristova from Blagoevgrad came first in the solo category.

Hristova, who has been studying Chinese for a year, told Xinhua that she finds the language fascinating. She said the award was very precious as it reflected a new beginning and new achievements.

Chen Ying, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, and Aksiniya Koleva, the Bulgarian director, said the contest has boosted Bulgarian students' interest in learning Chinese while promoting Chinese culture among the Bulgarian public.

Earlier on Saturday, an International Communication Office for Peony Culture was inaugurated at the institute's library. Aimed at promoting cultural exchanges between China and Bulgaria, the initiative was jointly launched by the Confucius Institute in Sofia, China's Heze Municipality, and Bulgaria's Bozhurishte Municipality.

Two peony gardens with flowers donated from Heze, known as China's Peony Capital, were planted in Sofia and Plovdiv in 2024, and a festival dedicated to the peony was held in Sofia in 2025. ■

A participant performs during a Chinese singing contest in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 18, 2026. The Confucius Institute in Sofia on Saturday hosted a Chinese singing contest and inaugurated a peony culture center to celebrate this year's United Nations Chinese Language Day. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua)

Participants perform during a Chinese singing contest in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 18, 2026. The Confucius Institute in Sofia on Saturday hosted a Chinese singing contest and inaugurated a peony culture center to celebrate this year's United Nations Chinese Language Day. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua)

Participants perform during a Chinese singing contest in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 18, 2026. The Confucius Institute in Sofia on Saturday hosted a Chinese singing contest and inaugurated a peony culture center to celebrate this year's United Nations Chinese Language Day. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua)

Participants perform during a Chinese singing contest in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 18, 2026. The Confucius Institute in Sofia on Saturday hosted a Chinese singing contest and inaugurated a peony culture center to celebrate this year's United Nations Chinese Language Day. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua)