Inauguration of Ionian University Hellenic Sinology Centre

(Ionian University) The official inauguration of the Hellenic Centre for Sinology, the first institution of its kind in Greece, took place on Saturday, February 15. The ceremony was conducted by the Dean of the Ionian University, Professor Andreas Floros, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Hellenic Republic, Fang Qiu.

The event was honoured by the presence of Professor of Ancient and Modern Chinese Literature and Chinese Culture at Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) and Director of the World Centre for Sinology, Xu Baofeng, the Mayor of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands, Stefanos Poulimenos, the Deputy Regional Governor of Corfu, Alexandros Dimou, the Deputy Regional Governor for Finance and Commerce, Savvas Koulouris, the Deputy Mayor for Tourism, Spyros Chalikopoulos, the Director of the Hellenic Centre for Sinology, Professor Stavros Katsios, and the Executive Director of the Hellenic Centre for Sinology, Dr. Elena Avramidou.

In his address, the Chinese Ambassador to Greece, Mr. Fang Qiu, thanked the Dean of the Ionian University, as well as everyone who worked intensively to establish the Centre. He stated that the next step should be a joint effort to expand cooperation between the two sides in the fields of education and culture.

The Dean of the Ionian University, Professor Andreas Floros, in his speech, referred to the inauguration of a facility characterised by a unique environment, which represents the culmination of at least three years of intensive efforts by the university to build a constructive relationship with Chinese universities and the academic community. "We are pleased that this important effort is being announced after its full implementation and careful planning, within a framework of mutual trust, cooperation and friendship," stated Mr. Floros. He added that this infrastructure, both tangible and intangible, will yield results beyond imagination from now on.

The Deputy Regional Governor of Corfu, Alexandros Dimou, stated that the Ionian Islands Regional Authority supports any initiative that enhances international cooperation, knowledge, and the exchange of cultural values. "Our collaboration with the Ionian University has always been fruitful, based on our shared goal of building communication bridges with partners from around the world," he noted.

The Mayor of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands, Stefanos Poulimenos, welcomed the establishment and operation of the Hellenic Centre for Sinology, highlighting the historical significance of the building in which it is housed (the former Bank of Greece building), which has been designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Monument. "We see the Centre as a window from Greece to the East, particularly to China, which has shown impressive development in many fields in recent years—something that cannot leave us indifferent. Confident in the project's success, I want to express our commitment to supporting it at every step," concluded Mr. Poulimenos.

The Director of the Hellenic Centre for Sinology, Professor Stavros Katsios, initially referred to the extensive groundwork that had been carried out since 2007 to foster the collaboration between the Ionian University and the Chinese academic community. This cooperation has now expanded to include museums and other key institutions in both countries. "Our shared ambition is for the Centre to serve as a regional hub for Chinese studies and broader collaborations with Southeast European countries," clarified Mr. Katsios, while also expressing gratitude to the Chinese publishing house Tianjin Ancient Books Publishing House for its support and generous donation of printed materials to equip the Hellenic Centre for Sinology.

Finally, Professor Xu Baofeng, Director of the World Centre for Sinology at Beijing Language and Culture University, expressed his belief that collaboration with the Ionian University has a bright future. He stated that the operation of the Centre will attract even more visitors from China to Corfu and expressed his hope that it will also inspire many Greeks to learn the Chinese language.

At the conclusion of the inauguration ceremony, the cutting of the Ionian University’s New Year’s cake also took place, with the lucky coin going to Mr. Katsios and Ms. Avramidou.

Photo: Ionian University