At the Chinese culture club located near the Kursk subway station in Moscow, people can learn the Chinese language, savor Chinese food, taste Chinese tea, play Chinese chess, appreciate Chinese paintings, practice calligraphy and experience kung fu. Before they leave, they can buy a Chinese chess set, several bags of tea or some calligraphy works and paintings so that they can continue to appreciate Chinese culture at home.
The club was founded by Irina Golovina. The first time she tasted delicious Chinese food and tea was at a Chinese restaurant in Moscow in 1998. At that point, she had a strong desire to learn more about China. She started reading many books about China and was especially interested in Chinese philosophy. She also began to learn the Chinese language to enhance her understanding of China. At that time, she mostly studied ancient Chinese culture.
In 2004, when Golovina first set foot on Chinese soil, she saw a country undergoing vigorous development. To her surprise, she discovered that modern China preserved and kept its tradition well. She often stopped to watch ordinary citizens playing Chinese chess in a care-free and relaxed manner on the streets of Beijing. She later discovered that Chinese chess is based on time-honored Chinese culture and embodies Chinese philosophical thoughts and military wisdom. After returning to Moscow, she independently raised funds to set up a Chinese culture club. In 2006, she founded the Russian Chinese Chess Xiang Qi Federation and has served as the president up until now. Members of the federation attended the World Mind Sports Games held in Beijing in October last year.
In recent years, some enthusiasts of Chinese culture have become frequent visitors to the Chinese culture club and new members who hear about the club are on the rise. Golovina happily told reporters that with the rapid development of China-Russia relations, there are more and more opportunities for cooperation, and her club's business is thriving. She believes that strengthening cultural exchange is vital to enhancing mutual understanding between Chinese and Russian people and promoting cooperation in a variety of fields between the two countries.
Recently, there are more people like Irina Golovina in Russia who appreciate Chinese culture. Since its plaque was officially unveiled in October last year, the Confucius Institute at Lomonosov Moscow State University has also attracted many enthusiasts of Chinese culture. Presently, the Confucius Institute has started seven classes for a total of more than 70 students. Dean of the Confucius Institute at Lomonosov Moscow State University, Professor Ren Guangxuan, noted two reasons for the popularity of Chinese culture. First, the broad, profound and diversified cultures of China and Russia present a mutual and strong attraction from people of both countries. Secondly, the increasingly close economic and trade relations between the two countries has promoted mutual understanding and learning between the Chinese and Russian people.
By People's Daily Online
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