Confucius Institute of Valparaiso University
Opening Ceremony


Opening Ceremony of the Confucius Institute at Valparaiso University
Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Speeches
To read Dr. Alan Harre-President of Valparaiso University speech, click here.
To read Professor Jianyun Meng-Director of the Confucius Institute at Valparaiso University speech, click here.

Press Coverage
The Northwest Indiana Times: "Study the past-if you would divine the future"
Post Tribune of Northwest Indiana "Inspired by Confucius"
Chicago Public Radio (audio file) "From Valpo to China with Love"

Photos from the Confucius Institute Opening Ceremony
A special thank you to Jon Hendricks of Jon L. Hendricks Photography for the wonderful photos taken at the Confucius Institute Opening Ceremony!



Dr. Alan Harre, President of Valparaiso University (left) and Jianfeng Xiao, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Zhejiang University of Technology (right) sign the agreement for the establishment of the Confucius Institute at Valparaiso University. Photo by Cat Hoffman, VU MALS Alumni


The Zhejiang Butterfly Performing Troupe
The troupe is made up of 11 musicians, 7 dancers, 2 acrobats and 1 *Kun Opera actress, who are the principle performers of Zhejiang Provincial Singing and Dancing Theater. In Valpo they will present programs featuring traditional Chinese instrumental and vocal music, folk dance, acrobatics and excerpts from one of the most famous Chinese classic opera, The Peony Pavilion. All the artists have toured extensively in and outside China and performed at many world class venues such as the Golden Hall of Vienne Opera House.

Zhejiang is a province located to the south of Shanghai and is one of the most prosperous provinces of China. It became Indiana’s sister province in 1989 and is now an important trading partner of Indiana. As artistic ambassadors from Zhejiang to Indiana, the Butterfly Performing Troupe will not only bring beautiful Chinese music and dance, but also further strengthen the flourishing cultural and economical ties between the sister province and state.

*Kun Opera is a local opera from Zhejiang Province, which is the predecessor of Beijing Opera and acknowledged by UN as Human Cultural Heritage).