学生表演大合唱。（摄影：苏小魁）
东南网澳大利亚10月25日讯（本网记者 苏小魁） 当地时间10月23日，“2017汉语之光”第四届新南威尔士州学生汉语才艺汇演在悉尼成功举行。本次活动由新南威尔士大学孔子学院和新南威尔士州（下简称“新州”）中文教师协会共同举办，目的是为了促进新州汉语教育的推广。活动吸引了来自当地40所大中小学的800余名学生参加表演。
中国驻悉尼总事领馆总领事顾小杰、教育组参赞牛文起，新州影子水务部部长柯民思（Chris Minns MP)，新南威尔士大学高级副校长（Les Field），以及中澳工商政界、教育界、华人社团逾千名观众出席了本次活动。
中国驻悉尼总领事馆教育组参赞牛文起致辞。（摄影：苏小魁）
牛文起表示，“汉语之光”这样的节目有助于增进中澳两国，特别是青年人之间的友谊。他表示，非常欣喜地看到越来越多的澳大利亚年轻人对汉语和中国文化感兴趣，未来中澳两国的关系必将蓬勃发展。牛文起对新南威尔士大学孔子学院和新州中文教师协会为新州汉语教育作出的贡献表示感谢，同时也感谢参与活动的所有学校对汉语教学的支持。
莱斯·菲尔德表示，新州汉语教学的成果一年比一年出色。他认为，越来越多的学生已经意识到学习汉语的重要性，为迎接中澳关系深入发展的新时代做好准备。随后，西卡林福德小学(Carlingford West Public School)校长安德鲁·威廉姆森(Andrew Williamson)作为校长代表在致辞中表示，西卡林福德小学一直以来非常重视汉语教学，未来也会尽全力支持有关汉语教学和中国文化的活动。
今年恰逢中澳建交四十五周年，“汉语之光”以此为主题搭建文化教育桥梁，为学生提供体验中国语言和文化魅力的平台。为配合今年的主题，“汉语之光”的传统大合唱节目采用了多首中澳名曲，由学生们用中英文共同演绎，比如《剪羊毛》和《丛林流浪》。同时，本次活动也安排了不同时代的中国流行金曲，例如《歌声与微笑》《朋友》《同一首歌》等。另外，今年的单项表演语言类节目也有所增多，分别有中学生和大学生带来的相声，还有小学生表演的中国历史故事等，充分体现了学生们扎实的语言功底。让观众们惊喜的是，今年的演出中，很多当地学生都可以熟练地演奏中国传统乐器，例如古筝、二胡、琵琶和中国大鼓等，看得出除了汉语语言的推广，中国文化也在学生们的心中生根发芽、开出硕果。今年的活动还特地邀请了一所来自中国的学校登台表演，中澳学生同台演出，携手共祝中澳建交45周年，意义非凡。演出最后以世界经典歌曲《友谊地久天长》结束，寓意中澳友谊亘古长青。
据悉，2014年，新南威尔士大学孔子学院和新州中文教师协会等机构，在悉尼市政厅共同举办了以“庆祝全球孔子学院十周年”为主题的首届“2014汉语之光新州学生汉语才艺汇演”活动。当时，30多所学校的400多名学生参与演出，取得了巨大成功。学生们表演了诗朗诵、快板、饶舌歌、大合唱、中西乐器合奏和民族舞蹈等节目，向观众展示了他们学习汉语的热情和成果，引起了各界的广泛关注。“汉语之光”也因此成为新南威尔士大学孔子学院和新州中文教师协会合作的品牌活动。2015年与2016年举办的“汉语之光”分别以“中国古诗词”及“和谐·梦想”为主题，参与的学校和学生人数增长了近一倍，节目规模有了很大提升，获得来宾和媒体的一致好评。
学生舞龙迎宾。（摄影：苏小魁）
SENAU October 25 (Andy Su) In its fourth year, the 2017 Chinese Language Spectacular took place on October 23 at Sydney Town Hall. Held each year, the Chinese Language Spectacular celebrates the cultural bridges and educational ties that connect the two countries. Jointly organized by the Confucius Institute at UNSW Sydney and the Chinese Language Teachers Association of NSW, the evening showcased the talents of Chinese language students across New South Wales (NSW), attracted the participation of approximately 800 students from 40 local schools and universities. More than 1000 audiences, including Consul General Gu Xiaojie and Education Counsellor Niu Wenqi of Chinese Consulate General in Sydney, Chris Minns MP, Shadow Minister for Water of NSW, Professor Les Field, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor at UNSW Sydney, and politicians, businesspeople, educators, representatives from Chinese-Australian communities, attended this event.
Education Counsellor of the Chinese Consulate General in Sydney, Mr Niu Wenqi, spoke at the event and highlighted “the spirit of cultural exchange here in Australia”. He said, “I hope that with events like tonight’s Spectacular, we continue to build stronger bridges of friendship between our two countries. It is exciting to see young people engage with Chinese language and culture, as they are our future. It is through their efforts and understanding that the China-Australia connection will continue to flourish.” Mr Niu also acknowledged and thanked the organizers for their contribution to Chinese education in NSW, and the participating schools for their support of Chinese teaching.
Professor Les Field, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor at UNSW Sydney, gave a speech and noted how “exciting it is to see Chinese language education thriving so well in our schools.” He commented that “at UNSW, we are seeing growing interest in Chinese Studies” and remarked how “these days, savvy students know the value of speaking Mandarin” especially as “the Australia-China story evolves into new and exciting areas.” Mr Andrew Williamson, Principal of Carlingford West Public School, also addressed the audience and touched on the valued importance of Chinese teaching and learning in his school, affirming his continued support for activities which allow students to engage with Chinese culture.
This year’s event coincides with the 45th anniversary of the establishment of Australian-Chinese diplomatic relations. The program included well-known Chinese and Australian songs, with choirs singing traditional bush ballads such as “Click Go the Shears” and “Waltzing Matilda”, as well as Chinese pop classics including “Singing and Smiling” (歌声与微笑), “Friends” (朋友) and “The Same Song” (同一首歌). The showcase concluded with students giving a Chinese and English rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” (友谊地久天长 – Friendship Forever), the（a）famous folk song？ which evokes sentiments of friendship as old as time.
In 2014, Confucius Institute at UNSW Sydney and the Chinese Language Teachers Association of NSW jointly produced the inaugural Chinese Language Spectacular at Sydney Town Hall to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Confucius Institute worldwide. More than 400 students from over 30 schools showcased their talents and Chinese language skills, with acts including poetry recitals, storytelling, rapping, choirs, musical ensembles and folk dance. Since its establishment, the Chinese Language Spectacular has become a flagship event of the Confucius Institute at UNSW Sydney and Chinese Language Teachers Association of NSW. The official themes of the 2015 and 2016 Chinese Language Spectacular were “Ancient Chinese Poetry” and “Harmony and Dreams” respectively. Participation in the event doubled in its second year, producing a showcase greater in scale. Both local and Chinese media have covered the Spectacular, noting its positive impact in boosting Chinese learning across NSW schools.
