Yinzhou Elements Dazzle at Sofia Asian Culture Festival

On June 14 at 10 a.m. local time, the fifth Asian Culture Festival, hosted by China for the first time, opened in Sofia’s South Park, Area 2, Bulgaria. Yinzhou’s cultural elements shone in diverse forms, engaging in cultural exchange on an international stage.

"People are born good by nature; though similar at birth, habits set them apart..." At the opening ceremony, a group of Bulgarian students recited the Three Character Classic in heartfelt, slightly halting Chinese. Leading them was 24-year-old Tina, an enthusiast of Chinese culture who won the Bulgarian division of the "Chinese Bridge" World University Chinese Language Competition in May.

“Absolutely stunning! Ningbo is a city that captivates!” exclaimed a visitor. The Three Character Classic-themed cultural booth by Yinzhou’s Ningbo Hengxing Toys Co., Ltd. was a major hit. Its "Yongxing Scroll," showcasing Ningbo’s essence, featured 15 iconic landmarks, including the Ningbo (Yinzhou) Museum, Southern Song Stone Carving Park, and Ningbo Center Tower, crafted into collectible stamp designs. Visitors delighted in stamping while discovering Ningbo’s rich history and modern growth. The scroll was also presented as a special gift to ambassadors from Mongolia, the UAE, South Korea, Cambodia, and other nations in Bulgaria, receiving high praise from Bulgarian Vice President Yotova.

Yinzhou is the hometown of Wang Yinglin, the renowned author of the Three Character Classic, a classic children's primer. In 1990, Pan Shizi's translated version of the Three Character Classic was listed by UNESCO as part of the Children's Moral Series for global promotion. At the festival's market, Three Character Classic-themed cultural products and calligraphy experiences were warmly received.

A Three Character Classic mini-classroom was also set up at the event. Over a dozen Bulgarian children gathered around a long table spread with rice paper, carefully tracing Chinese characters like "ren" (人), "zhi" (之), and "chu" (初) with brushes, following the instructor’s guidance. As they wrote, they listened quietly to the teacher explaining the philosophy behind " People are born good by nature; though similar at birth, habits set them apart... " and the traditional virtues conveyed by stories like "Rong, at four, could yield pears (to his elder brother)."

Since dragon boats first "sailed overseas," Yinzhou has maintained close communication and interaction with Bulgaria. Today, 10 dragon boats donated by Yinzhou ply Bulgarian waters. Last year, a Dragon Boat Culture Learning Base was established in Sofia’s Pancharevo District, and a special exhibition on dragon boat culture was held at the China Cultural Center in Sofia.

This time, Yinzhou’s dragon boat culture once again took the spotlight in Bulgaria. Dragon boat models, sachets, fridge magnets, zongzi gift boxes, and zongzi replicas fully showcased China’s Dragon Boat Festival culture. Through VR technology, visitors could also immerse themselves in the excitement of a dragon boat race. Meanwhile, Yinzhou’s promotional video Dragon Boats: Connecting Ningbo with the World further spread the story of this cultural IP’s global journey.

Inside the "One-Square-Meter Intangible Cultural Heritage Pavilion," vibrant tiger-head shoes, exquisitely carved eggshell art, and fragrant sachets filled with the herbal aromas of ancient East Asia captivated visitors. Though compact in size, this space carried the profound cultural richness of Yinzhou. The melodious tunes of "Mengyin Sound," the elegant craftsmanship of the "Yongxing Scroll," and the everyday charm of "Three Character Classic fridge magnets" brought the cultural elements to life—"visible in people, objects, and daily living"—leaving a lasting impression on international guests.

Reportedly, the Asian Culture Festival was initiated in 2017 by the Indonesian Embassy in Bulgaria and has since become a key platform for showcasing Asia’s diverse cultures. This year, the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria is co-hosting the event alongside nine other Asian nations.

Centered on the theme "Harmonious Asia," this year’s festival brings together cultural displays from China, Indonesia, South Korea, Vietnam, and other Asian countries. Through music, dance, cuisine, and art, it highlights the diversity and harmonious coexistence of Asian civilizations.