About the Confucius Institute

Founded in December 2008, the Confucius Institute at Alfred University (CIAU) represents a partnership between Alfred University, the Office of the International Chinese Language Council (Hanban/ Confucius Institute Headquarters in Beijing), and China University of Geosciences (CUG in Wuhan). Its goal is to promote Chinese language and culture through education in upstate New York and to help people further their understanding of China today.

The Confucius House, located at 10 Park Street in the village of Alfred, opened to the public in April 2010. Equipped with touch screen computers and useful software, the Confucius House also functions as an exhibition center and a welcoming center for visitors who want to learn more about the CIAU in particular and Chinese culture in general.

Upcoming Events

News

Chinese Painting Lessons at Alfred – Xuerong (Sharon) Wang, member of Association of Women Artists in Quzhou, Zhejiang Proinve of China, is visiting Alfred University. CIAU has invited her to offer Chinese painting lessons to the community at Confucius House once every week. Xuerong also held the first solo exhibition of her Chinese paintings at Alfred University.

Guzheng students had a performance in Student recita – On April 29, Guzheng students from Daisy Wu’s Chinese music Guzheng class at Alfred University took part in the student recital of the AU Division of Performing Arts. Students played 4 pieces of Chinese folk music and did a successful performance in Miller Theater.

Confucius Institute Conference in Washington, DC – From April 11 – 15, most of the CIAU faculty attended the Hanban-sponsored conference for all Confucius Institutes in North America.

HSK Test – On April 14, CIAU faculty Shirley and Lee successfully administered the HSK test of Mandarin proficiency in speaking and writing.

Early College International School Visits Alfred – On March 30, approximately 100 students from Rochester gathered in the Nevins Theater to experience an introduction to the Chinese language and culture. CIAU faculty presented a 3-part presentation: statistical overview of China today; second, introduced the guzheng and played intricate folk songs; finally, taught the entire group to sing and perform “Happy New Year” in Mandarin. The event concluded on a festive note with 100% audience participation.

Visiting Calligraphy Artist Xinshi Tu – On March 22, Tu is the president of Rocky Mountain Area Chinese Calligraphy Association, honorary chair of Chinese-Japanese-Korean Calligrapher & Painter’s Coalition, and editor-in-chief of the Chinese American Post, which is based in Denver. Mr. Tu, master calligrapher and teacher in Boulder, CO, gave several workshops about Chinese calligraphy at Alfred University and Genesee Valley School District.

 Chinese Bridge Proficiency Competition – The third annual Chinese Bridge roficiency Preliminary Competition was held at AU on March 17. CIAU Director Wilfred Huang gave opening remarks followed by a summary of rules for the 2 groups of competitors: junior level and senior level with each contestant expected to make a speech and a performance of some kind. The wide range of speeches was given including personal memories of studying Chinese, Chinese cuisine, and idioms. The performance segment, too, showed both creativity and diversity. Seventeen students from AU participated in the event. Two students from SUNY Binghamton were chosen to go on to further competition in New York City.

 Tai Chi Classes – Master teacher Guifang Liu has returned to Alfred and offers 2 hour-long classes 5 days a week in McLane Center– one for beginners and another for advanced students. She is teaching the 24-step program. In addition, she offers a technically more difficult workshop in Howell Hall several afternoons per week.

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