Visit of Beijing Foreign Studies University Students (Greek language department) to the Embassy of Greece in Beijing

On Friday, November 10th 2017, the Greek class of Beijing Foreign Studies University visited the Embassy of Greece in Beijing and the exhibition "Eureka! Science, Art and Technology of the Ancient Greeks", jointly held by the Museum Herakleidon and the China Science and Technology Museum in the context of Year of Greece-China Cultural Exchanges and Cooperation in the field of Cultural Industries.

In May 2017, during his official visit in Beijing, in the framework of the Belt & Road Forum, the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Alexis Tsipras, inaugurated the Hellenic Studies Center in Beijing Foreign Studies University. During the opening ceremony, the Greek Prime Minister underlined the importance of civilization and education contacts and people-to-people exchanges – especially among young people – as cultural and educational relations have always been the basis of the traditional Silk Roads connecting China with Europe, and Greece had always played a central role in these interactions. Prime Minister Tsipras emphasized the important role of educational and research institutions that can consistently serve a common Greek-Chinese strategy, i.e. the advancement of communication and deepening of the understanding of contemporary Greece and China. Greece's Prime Minister also underscored the importance of interactions between the cultural and economic sphere, in order to advance mutually beneficial bilateral relations.

In the Embassy, the students had a meeting with the Ambassador, Mr. Leonidas Rokanas, and with members of the Press and Communication Office of the Embassy, which organized the event. The Ambassador elaborated on Greek History and civilization, with emphasis on ancient Greek mythology, art and science as well as on Greek language and on the influence it exerted on many European languages.

The Head of the Press and Communication Office, Euthymios Athanasiadis, welcomed the Chinese students. He also referred to the importance of promoting Greek studies in China to local social media and the intention to create a short video related to their experience derived from their Greek language studies and to their impressions from the visit to the Embassy. The short video will be posted on the social media accounts of the Press and Communication Office with the aim of promoting Greek studies and culture to young Chinese.

The First Secretary for Press, Eleni Moutsaki, discussed with the students on the importance of learning foreign languages as a tool for understanding better foreign cultures and societies. Moreover, she elaborated on the role of Information and Communication Technology in the education systems worldwide, referred to the e-learning programs of Greek Universities and presented as case study the e-learning program of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

It should be noted that Beijing Foreign Studies University is a prestigious University in China and one of the oldest language Universities, teaching the biggest number of languages. Today, BFSU teaches 67 languages, among which Modern Greek. eijing Foreign Studies University is known as the “cradle of diplomats” as many of its alumni – among them 400 Ambassadors of the P.R. of China--- have worked or currently work under the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Visit of Beijing Foreign Studies University Students (Greek language department)
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