Editor's Note: Many students and faculty members of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) are telling Chinese stories to the world in different ways. Some of them are spreading Chinese culture with beautiful foreign languages. Some of them spare no efforts to popularize Chinese history and classical literature. Someone are shouldering the responsibility to depict the China Dream globally. However, they share one thing in common. Via internet, they established their fans’ networks in the cyberspace.

Liria Chen Zhi and Programa SOL: Language opens up the cultural door

 Do Chinese people take a bath every day?” Liria Chen Zhi, an associate professor of Spanish at SISU and the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute in Madrid from 2012 to 2015, was astonished when asked such a question in 2002 when she was continuing her doctoral studies at the College of Mexico (Colmex).

It struck her as unbelievable that in the 21th century, Spanish-speaking counties still have many misunderstandings about China, such as “Chinese pay no attention to hygiene”, “Chinese take a bath several times all the life”, “Acupuncture is the Japanese invention” and “Chopsticks are from Korea.”

Emotion prompt action, act with lasting emotion

Facing these misunderstandings, Chen decided to promote Chinese culture by herself in Spanish. Chen said, “China had established diplomatic ties with many Spanish-speaking countries for a long time, but the folk culture communication was so rare.”

She first started to give lectures at Colmex on a range of topics including Chinese geography and history. The local Mexicans were so interested in China and Chinese culture that some simple introductions could inspire their enthusiasm. Chen’s vivid and informative speeches had also attracted the local press.

After that, she visited many counties and gave hundreds of speeches on Chinese culture in Spanish.

Making a difference

Once, she gave a speech about the “Transcendental Bliss” of Zhuang Zi, a Chinese Taoist philosophical canon which showed there wasn’t complete freedom and people should enjoy their life in natural ways. After the speech, a listener came to shake hands with Chen and thanked for her enlightenment. He was anxious about the future before because of unemployment. The Chinese ancient wisdom encouraged him not to give up and he finally got a job.

Chen realized that spreading Chinese culture in Spanish could truly make a difference. From then on, she cooperated with the Instituto Cervantes to set up China’s first national platform for Chinese-Spanish cultural exchange called “Sī Yǜ Lè (thinking with pleasure)” in 2011.

SOL, Serenidad Oasis Libertad

In 2013, Chen established the first MOOC platform to give lectures systematically on Chinese culture. This online platform is named “Programa SOL” (Serenidad Oasis Libertad), which means in Spanish a relaxing state like heart free literally. Until now, it has attracted more than 5,000 learners from 104 countries and regions.

“1/3 people speak Chinese and Spanish in the world. It will be meaningful to have these two cultures with history collided and exchanged,” Chen said.

“When you made up your mind to doing something, everyone would come to give you a hand,” Chen said that the staff at the Cervantes Library, the ambassadors of Spanish-speaking countries and many university professors offered her general help and support.

SOL has few students at first but gradually attracts experts and professional editors to participate. “Most of them work voluntarily,” Chen said, “We gathered a group of people with dream and passion.”

Chen promoted her activities on popular social media platforms both home and abroad, such as WeChat, QQ, Facebook and Twitter.

Until now, Chen has invested up to 100,000 yuan to support the operation of the website. “While someone buys luxury bags with 100,000 yuan, I would prefer the plain bag to save money to pay for something meaningful. I hope all of us make the best use of time to step forward to a bright future.”

Learn more about Programa SOL: http://www.programasol.com