Confucius Institute Edifice Unveiled in Ghanaian University

China handed over on November 29 a newly constructed edifice housing the Model Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana. To be put into formal use in January 2018， the new structure， worth nearly US $1 million has within it the administrative area， lecture halls， language laboratories， library as well as an attic exhibiting various items of Chinese origin， including robes， musical isntruments， and old weapons among others. Inaugurating the triplestory structure， Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Sun Baohong stated that the Confucius Institute in the University of Ghana has become a leader in the teaching of Chinese language in Ghana， a practitioner of bilateral cooperation in the educational sector， a communicator of Chinese culture， and a bridge promoting mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana Ebenezer Oduro-Owusu indicated that the state-of-the-art administrative building with facilities will serve as a hub for the teaching and learning of not only the Chinese language and culture， but also of Chinese traditional medicine and Chinese martial arts.

China Cultural Center Opens in Israel

The first China Cultural Center in West Asia opened in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv on November 26， aiming to spread Chinese culture and facilitate exchange and cooperation between the two countries.

Chinas Vice Culture Minister Zhang Xu said at the opening ceremony that the relationship between the two peoples determines the direction of ties between their countries. The establishment of the Chinese cultural center in Tel Aviv marks a new phase in both cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Israel， which is also an important achievement grown from their friendly cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic ties 25 years ago.

Israeli Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein sent a congratulatory video to the launch of the center， in which he said the facility would bring closer the two peoples and promote their mutual understanding and friendship.

The center， also the 35th of its kind worldwide， sits in Tel Avivs business district， and covers a total area of about 1，000 square meters. It is designed to host events such as art performances， cultural exhibitions， academic seminars， and other activities to allow Israelis to gain a better understanding of the Chinese culture.

Terracotta Warriors March into Virginia

A set of Chinas Terracotta Warriors have marched into Richmond， capital of U.S. state of Virginia， as local museumgoers， impressed by its delicacy and artistry， are given an extraordinary taste of Chinese history.endprint

Ten life-size figures from the tomb of Qin Shihuang， Chinas first emperor， have been displayed at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts （VMFA）， as part of Chinese-themed exhibition， Terracotta Army： Legacy of the First Emperor of China. The exhibition showcases over 130 works of art， drawn from the collections of 14 art museums and archaeological institutes across Chinas Shaanxi Province， including more than 40 objects never shown before in the United States.

“The Terracotta Army is one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century，” said VMFA Director Alex Nyerges. “From the featured objects， our audience will learn about the First Emperors political and cultural innovation and legacy， as well as gain a better understanding about ancient Chinese cultural history as part of world civilization.”

Activity

Vienna Strauss Orchestra 2018 New Year Concert

Dates： January 12， 2018

Venue： Beijing Theater

Prices： RMB 180， 280， 480， 680，880， 1080

Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra is an Austrian orchestra based in Vienna. The primary aim of this orchestra is to recreate the touring Strauss Orchestra of the days of Johann Strauss I， who was the founder of the Strauss musical dynasty. The members of the orchestra were selected from leading Vienna orchestras such as the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna Radio Orchestra.

The Merry Widow

Dates： January 18-21， 2018

Venue： National Centre for the Performing Arts

Prices： RMB 100， 280， 380， 550， 600， 680， 880

The Merry Widow （Germen： Die Lustige Witwe） is an operetta by the Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehar. It has been penned by the librettists Viktor Leon and Leo Stein， and is based on the story Lattache dambassade （The Embassy Attache） by Henri Meilhac. The operetta has enjoyed extraordinary international success since its 1905 premiere.endprint