The Confucius Institute invites the UT campus and greater Toledo community to learn about Chinese culture at Confucius Institute Day Saturday, Sept. 27, from noon to 5 p.m. in the Student Union Auditorium.

“The Confucius Institute at The University of Toledo is proud to join with more than 480 Confucius Institutes around the world to celebrate Confucius Institute Day on September 27. The day commemorates the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Confucius Institute program through Hanban in China. It is also a very special anniversary for us; here at UT, we are celebrating the fifth anniversary of our local Confucius Institute with a day full of entertainment and activities for people of all ages,” said Llew Gibbons, UT professor of law and chair of the UT Confucius Institute Board of Directors.

“We will feature a variety of activities from language lessons to hands-on art-making activities. We encourage the Toledo community to come out for this free event; it’s a great opportunity to learn about Chinese culture and meet new people in your community.”

The highlights of Confucius Institute Day will include opportunities to:

• Take a 20-minute lesson on how to say and write simple Chinese expressions and characters;

• Write Chinese calligraphy;

• Draw a Beijing opera mask;

• Decorate Chinese lanterns;

• Make a Chinese bracelet;

• Design Chinese paper cutting;

• Sculpt dough figurines;

• Play Chinese games; and

• Watch performances of Chinese song and dance.

There also will be a photo booth, tea arts display and Tao Bao bazaar.

The Confucius Institute at The University of Toledo serves northwest Ohio by providing education in Chinese language and culture, and supports the development of China-related scholarly research and academic programs. It also offers opportunities for cultural exchanges between China and the United States.

Learn more about the Confucius Institute Day here or contact Dawei Han at 419.530.8580.