A week-long cultural exchange summer camp, hosted by the Confucius Institute of Antigua and Barbuda in collaboration with the Antigua and Barbuda China Friendship Association, concluded successfully with a vibrant closing ceremony on the lawns of Government House.
The event was attended by almost 100 participants, including Their Excellencies Sir Rodney and Lady Williams, as well as directors and members of the Confucius Institute, school principals, parents, and students.
The attendees were treated to a captivating display of traditional Chinese performances, featuring song, dance and martial arts. In his address to the audience, Cuthbert Forbes Jr, Secretary of the ACFA, encouraged students to apply the knowledge and skills they had acquired during the camp.
He also lauded the principals of Clare Hall Secondary School and Antigua Grammar School for their decision to incorporate Mandarin into their curriculum from September.
Suzette Burton, representative of the parents, expressed her satisfaction with the programme’s success and suggested extending the camp’s time span next year. She shared her excitement upon discovering the opportunity advertised by the Halo Foundation and eagerly enrolled her seven-year old grandson, who now enthusiastically greets everyone in Chinese.
The ceremony ended with the distribution of certificates, coupled with an expressed desire by both facilitators and participants to ensure a camp of longer duration for summer 2025.
