The launch ceremony of the establishment of the Chinese Spanish Student Union was held grandly at the Cervantes Institute in Shanghai. Representatives from Cervantes Institute, universities, language institutions, and student groups gathered together to witness the official launch of this youth platform dedicated to promoting language and cultural exchange between China and the West.
The ceremony kicked off in a lively atmosphere. Ms. Yima, Dean of the Cervantes Institute in Shanghai, expressed her warm congratulations on the establishment of the alliance through a video speech. The student community is the engine driving future cultural exchange, and she hopes that the alliance will gradually become an indispensable platform for acquiring knowledge, sharing experiences, promoting cultural exchange, and embracing diversity. She also hopes that it will become a window to the future. She emphasized the importance of Spanish, as the official language of over twenty countries, it has strong vitality, diverse characteristics, and rich connotations, making it an excellent choice for empowering personal development.
Ms. Yang Yan, Director of the Cervantes Spanish Language Center at China Chile, stated in her speech that the establishment of the China Spain Student Union aims to promote the development of Spanish language education and demonstrate the initiative of contemporary Spanish learners to serve their peers with the power of their peers and empower their growth with youthful aspirations. The future development of the alliance will stick to the original intention of autonomy, focus on improving capabilities, shoulder the communication mission, and inject youth momentum into cultural exchanges along the the Belt and Road. At the same time, we hope that all sectors of society will continue to pay attention to and support the development of the alliance, and look forward to Spanish language experts and teachers continuing to provide professional guidance for students. We hope that the Chinese Spanish Student Alliance will grow into a warm, dynamic, and productive student organization through everyone’s joint efforts, cultivate more outstanding Spanish talents who possess both language skills and patriotism, and contribute youthful strength to the win-win cooperation between China and foreign countries and the overall development of the country.
Ms. Wu Juan, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice Dean of the School of Foreign Languages at East China Normal University, emphasized the importance of Spanish as a key language and stated that the country’s attention and support for non English language education are increasing. Ms. Wu Juan also introduced the mission of the School of Foreign Languages at East China Normal University in cultivating foreign language normal students, and emphasized the cooperation with primary and secondary schools in Shanghai, the Yangtze River Delta, and many parts of the country to jointly carry out teaching research and student activities. In addition, Huashi University also hosted the first National Forum on the Development of Cross school Spanish Education and worked closely with the Cervantes Institute to jointly design Spanish training courses for primary and secondary school teachers. Ms. Wu Juan looks forward to working together with all units to promote the development of key language education.
Li Hongyi, the chairman of the alliance, stated in his speech that the Chinese Spanish Student Alliance is a student led platform dedicated to promoting the practical application of the Basic Law theory in Spanish language learning. The core mission of the alliance is to build an interdisciplinary global perspective through a learning framework that integrates language, history, and global research, and to implement a student led practical model. The activities of the alliance will break down disciplinary barriers and provide a unique perspective for future academic research or career development. The operation of the alliance is entirely the responsibility of the students, from event planning to external engagement, every aspect will be a practical classroom for developing leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. The future of the alliance requires the participation of every member. Passion, talent, and ideas are the most valuable assets of this organization. Let us work together to transform our love for Spanish into the courage and ability to explore the world, and build the alliance into a platform for us to grow together.
In the solemn flag giving ceremony, Ms. Ayiqu é lek Ginsi, representative of the Cervantes Institute, awarded the Union flag to President Li Hongyi, symbolizing the transmission of mission and responsibility. Subsequently, the guests presented badges and letters of appointment to the founding members of the alliance, acknowledging their efforts and contributions in the process of alliance establishment.
During the ceremony, members of the alliance also brought exciting and diverse talent performances. The violin solo “Por una cabeza”, flute performance “Habanera”, and the poetry recitation “Caminante no hay camino” by all members showcase the versatility and cultural identity of Spanish speaking students, and also push the atmosphere to a climax.
At the end of the event, on-site students actively participated in questionnaire surveys and interactive exchanges, shared their learning experiences, and asked questions to guests. The Cervantes Institute awarded certificates to the students who participated in the ceremony, encouraging them to continue steadfastly on the path of learning Spanish. Finally, all guests, members, and friends took a group photo together to capture this historically significant moment.
The establishment of the Chinese Spanish Student Union not only provides an organized and systematic communication platform for domestic Spanish learners, but also marks a new stage of deeper and younger cultural exchanges between China and the West. The future of the alliance is worth looking forward to.
