Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) inaugurated a new university history museum, a world language museum and a sculpture on Sept 23 to celebrate its 80th anniversary. 

BFSU holds an unveiling ceremony for its new university history museum, world language museum and sculpture on Sept 23.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education (MOE), China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), the Chinese International Education Foundation (CIEF), the National Library of China (NLC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) , the People's Education Press (PEP) as well as those from BFSU and other renowned universities.

The ceremony was presided over by Yang Dan, deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee and president of the university.

Wang Dinghua, secretary of the CPC BFSU committee, speaks at the unveiling ceremony on Sept 23.

Wang Dinghua, secretary of the CPC BFSU committee, extended a warm welcome to the guests and congratulated the university on the completion of the two museums and the sculpture. 

Wang pointed out that as tributes to the university's 80th anniversary, the history museum records the growth of BFSU throughout its history, and the world language museum summarizes the development of world languages. 

“BFSU attaches great attention to language education. Language competence is closely connected with social development and the fate of a nation. The construction of the two museums marks a fresh start for university history studies and language research. We will hold exhibitions, strengthen publicity, and carry out further explorations, so as to make greater contributions to the development of BFSU,” Wang said.

Representatives cut the ribbon for the new university history museum, world language museum and sculpture on Sept 23. 

Liu Limin, former vice-minister of the MOE and president of CEAIE, Wang Hui, deputy director-general of the Department of Language Application and Administration of the MOE, Zhao Lingshan, vice president and secretary-general of the CIEF, Gao Hong, secretary of the Party committee of the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), and Jiang Feng, secretary of the Party committee of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) cut the ribbon with Wang and Yang to declare the opening of the two museums and the unveiling of the sculpture. 

Led by BFSU’s leadership, delegates visit the history museum and world language museum on Sept 23.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests visited the two museums.

The university history museum covers a total area of about 1,000 square meters. Its construction integrates the latest design concept and the 80-year development of BFSU.

The museum reveals the development process of the university, which was born during the national salvation movement, established after the founding of the PRC, prospered in the reform and opening up, and flourished in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The world language museum aims at demonstrating the diversity of world languages. The theme of the exhibition hall was divided into eight sections, from origin, listening, speaking, writing, education, communication, and service to exploration, so as to display the development and utilization of world languages.

The school’s anniversary sculpture resembles a Möbius strip.

Light spreads out through the hollow curves of the school’s anniversary sculpture.

The sculpture was designed by Professor Zhang Wei, director of the Sculpture Department of CAFA, and associate professor Hu Quanchun, deputy director of the Sculpture Department of CAFA. Based on the shape of a Möbius strip, which symbolizes integration and infinity, the sculpture is engraved with “hello” in 101 languages on the inside, covering all foreign languages taught at BFSU.

The sculpture embodies BFSU’s respect for cultural diversity and its goal of promoting exchanges among world civilizations.