2013 Istanbul International Book Fair-Guest of Honor China Series of Events at Confucius Institute, Bogazici University

From October 31 to November 5, 2013, Confucius Institute at Bogazici University participated and co-sponsored series of events, as an important part of the Guest of Honor China Program of 2013 Istanbul International Book Fair. On the afternoon of October 31, Chinese-Turkish Writers Forum was held at the historical Kirmizi Salon of Bogazici University. Chinese famous writers and poets, Xi Chuan, Zhang Wei, Lao Ma, Ciren Luobu (Tibetan), and Akbar Majyt (Kazak) attended the event. Turkish writers include: Murathan Mungan, Murat Gulsoy, Latife Tekin, and Jaklin Celik (Armenian). The two groups discussed the topics such as the sense of reality of a writer, history and memory, as well as ethnic literature. Turkish Directors of Confucius Institute, Prof. Selcuk Esenbel and Prof. Arzu Ozturkmen, moderated the discussions. Hundred of faculties and students from Bogazici University joined this event. Mr. Tian Kaisheng, Chinese Deputy Consul-General in Istanbul greeted the audience and saluted the success of the event. It is also a key event of the 150th anniversary of Bogazici University.

November 1, Mr. Zhang Tonghui, Deputy Director of Division of Teaching Materials of Confucius Institute Headquarters/ Hanban, and Ms. Zhu Dan, arrived in Istanbul to oversee the book exhibition. On the morning, a small seminar on Chinese language teaching and textbooks was held at Bogazici University. The Chinese Director of Confucius Institute, Dr. Yi Liu, reported the general condition of CIBU; Prof. Yu Jiang discussed the situation of Chinese language teaching and the use of textbooks in Turkey, the case of Bogazici University in particular. Turkish teacher of Chinese language from Hybiliada and volunteer teachers at CIBU also joined the seminar. At noon, accompanied by the Turkish Director of CIBU and the officers from Confucius Institute Headquarters/ Hanban, Dr. Yi Liu together with the new volunteer teachers, visited Prof. Greenwood, Dean of Arts and Sciences at Bogazici University. As part of an inauguration ritual, the participants discussed the development of Chinese program at Bogazici, with Confucius Institute as a key initiator. November 2, the international book fair was formally held at Tuyap exhibition center in Istanbul. Confucius Institute took charge of the book exhibition of textbooks from Confucius Institute Headquarters/Hanban. Faculties and students of CIBU, together with Mr. Zhang Tonghui, Deputy Director of Division of Teaching Materials of Confucius Institute Headquarters/ Hanban, and Ms. Zhu Dan, attended the opening ceremony of Guest of Honor China Program, China-Turkey Forum and other activities. The students from CIBU attracted attention of various Chinese publishers from China.

On the afternoon of November 4, the Chinese Film Festival was held at Confucius Institute of Bogazici University. A delegation from China Film Group Corporation, led by the Chairman, Mr. Han Sanping, attended the opening ceremony; delegates include: Mr. Le Kexi, Secretary of the Board of China Film Corporation; Mr. Zhao Haicheng, President of Huairou Studio; Ms. Xu Shujun, VP of China Film Co-production Corporation; Mr. Jiang Defu, President of China Film Promotional Corporation; and Mr. Ma Zhe, VP of Huairou Studio. Accompanied by Dr. Yi Liu, Chinese Director of Confucius Institute, the delegation visited the historical south campus of Bogazici University, and had a talk with the Turkish Director, Prof. Arzu Ozturkmen. The opening ceremony was held from 5 to 6pm. Mr. Han Sanping shared the story of American Dreams in China with Turkish students. Tai-chi, Chinese Tea Art, and Turkish Dance were showed during the ceremony. 

It is a great experience for Turkish faculties and students to know Chinese culture through various ways. Confucius Institute also won its reputation as a key organizer of these series of events.