LJUBLJANA, May 16 (Xinhua) -- On a spring afternoon in Ljubljana, a small stage became a bridge -- one that spanned continents, cultures, and dreams.
In the final round of the 18th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students in Slovenia on Friday, five teenagers stood tall, not only to compete, but to tell their stories in fluent Chinese.
Among them was Lucka Ficko, a high school student from Kranj, whose eyes sparkled with joy as her name was called for first prize.
"This is a dream I've had for years," she said to Xinhua. "I started watching Chinese dramas when I was 12...the more I saw of China, the more I fell in love. Today, I finally feel like my dream of going to China is within reach." Lucka will represent Slovenia at the global finals in China later this year.
The theme of this year's competition -- "Fly high with Chinese" -- felt deeply personal for the contestants. Each participant had a different story: some were intrigued by the complexity and rhythm of Mandarin, others motivated by a love for calligraphy, kung fu, or even pandas. For some, it was the melodies of Chinese pop songs or the immersive storytelling of TV dramas that sparked their interest.
Chang Bo, second secretary for education at the Chinese embassy in Slovenia, praised the contestants for their eloquence and depth of preparation.
"What impressed me most was not just their language ability, but their confidence, their connection to Chinese culture, and the way they expressed it," he said, adding, "They are true cultural ambassadors."
The competition was not limited to speeches. The talent segment brought Chinese culture to life through song, art, poetry, and martial arts. The audience swayed to the strings of a guitar playing the Chinese song, marveled at a brush painting of bamboo, and held their breath during a dazzling nunchaku performance.
"Each student brought something unique," said Ma Zhi, a teacher from the Confucius Institute Ljubljana.
"We saw strength in martial arts, elegance in painting, and beauty in music and poetry," Ma said, adding that this year's talent show "truly embodied the spirit of Chinese culture and also demonstrated the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of our teaching."
"The language is tough for our students," said Nina Dacic, the Chinese teacher from Gimnazija Kranj, one of the largest general secondary schools in the country.
"But they are brave. And the more they learn, the more they want to understand the culture. That's the real success," she said.
The Confucius Institute Ljubljana is about to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Over the years, the Institute has expanded Chinese education across all age levels -- from kindergarten to graduate studies -- and developed specialized programs like "Chinese + Business" and "Chinese + Tourism."
"The Chinese Bridge isn't just a contest," said Chang, adding that "It's a platform, a symbol. And most importantly, it's a beginning for more Slovenian youth to fall in love with China, and for deeper ties between our two countries."
As Ficko prepares to pack her bags for China, she carries with her not just the hopes of a competition winner, but her curiosity about Chinese culture, and a future built on the Chinese Bridge.
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