Cultural institute plays vital role in deepening mutual understanding

The Athens Business Confucius Institute, or ABCI, has emerged as a driving force in promoting language and cultural exchanges between China and Greece as bilateral ties continue to thrive.

Established in 2009 by the Athens University of Economics and Business, in collaboration with the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, the ABCI has played an important role in cultivating positive perceptions about China and deepening mutual understanding between the peoples of Greece and China, said Alexandros Papalexandris, the institute's director.

"Greeks tend to have positive perceptions about the Chinese people, the Chinese culture, and China in general," Papalexandris said. "This is mainly due to the good bilateral and economic relations, as well as several Chinese investments in Greece and Greek investments in China, not to mention trade and tourism."

The shared historical and cultural ties between Greece and China have also contributed to the success of the ABCI, he said. "As Greeks, we are very fond of our culture and of other civilizations with similarly rich history and culture," Papalexandris said.

"The fact that the ABCI is embedded in the university and functions as a collaboration project between our institution and the UIBE in China has helped create a positive image regarding its purpose."

Despite the challenges of learning a difficult language like Chinese, the feedback for the ABCI's language training and cultural and business activities has been overwhelmingly positive. "People tend to view the Confucius Institute as a significant channel for learning about China and its language," Papalexandris said.

Over the past 14 years, the Confucius Institute in Athens has successfully imparted the Chinese language to over 3,500 students. Additionally, it has conducted examinations for more than 3,000 candidates, achieving an outstanding pass rate of 98 percent in Chinese as a foreign language certification exam.

The ABCI remains committed to promoting mutual understanding between Greece and China through its various initiatives. The institute's engagement in language training, cultural activities, business conferences, and events has been instrumental in improving understanding of Chinese culture and bringing the two nations closer together, according to the Greek director.

"I firmly believe that through the Confucius Institute, the Greek people are exposed to another very important culture, and this has many benefits. In a globalized world, people should be aware of different cultures as this can have many benefits both in terms of broadening their horizons and in making them more valuable in terms of employment," he added.

Relations emphasized

Papalexandris emphasized the growing economy of China and its strong business ties with Greece have further amplified the significance of understanding Chinese culture and language. "Greek people could work in Chinese companies operating in Greece or potentially work in China, thereby broadening their career prospects," he said. "Business partnerships could be further developed if Greek people better understand the Chinese culture and idiosyncrasies of the Chinese people."

He recalled a specific instance that exemplifies the practical implications of the institute's work. "Some years ago, one of Athens' leading and most prestigious hotels approached us," he said. "We were asked to train their HR department on how to interact appropriately with their Chinese guests. It was important for the hotel staff to acknowledge cultural differences and accommodate the needs of their Chinese guests effectively."

As Greece-China relations flourish and the world embraces globalization, he believes the ABCI stands as a testament to the power of cultural understanding and language proficiency in fostering collaboration and friendship between nations.