FREETOWN, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at the University of Sierra Leone hosted its 5th Chinese song competition in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, on Wednesday, which aimed to provide Chinese learners in the West African country with a better understanding of Chinese culture.
Elizabeth Kamar, a university student, emerged as the winner of the fierce competition, which had a total of 15 contestants. In an interview after the contest, Kamar expressed her appreciation to the Confucius Institute for its support during the training for the competition.
It was challenging at the beginning, but through her perseverance, she finally succeeded, she added.
Chen Xuebin, the institute's Chinese director, said that the competition is designed to celebrate the beauty of language, culture and music, noting that the competition is a wonderful blend of cultures, where Sierra Leonean students choose songs that reflect various aspects of China.
Each song represents the historical and cultural life of China, and the performances showcase the students' love for the Chinese language and culture, he added. "Music is a universal language that transcends barriers and has the power to connect people across borders, bringing them closer."
Abdulai Walon-Jalloh, head of the university's linguistics department, praised the institute for its efforts in empowering Sierra Leonean students in the country. He said that the university administration will continue to provide a conducive environment for the Confucius Institute to thrive.
