On May 7, 2026, the preliminary competition of the 25th Chinese Bridge – Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students and the 19th Chinese Bridge – Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign High School Students was successfully held at the Auditorium of Comenius University. The event was hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Slovakia and organized by the Confucius Institute at Comenius University. A total of 17 outstanding contestants from across Slovakia gathered to showcase their Chinese language skills and cultural understanding.
Mr. Wang Xiaojian, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Slovakia, noted that the Chinese Bridge serves as an important platform for youth exchanges between China and Slovakia, encouraging participants to use Chinese as a key to understand China and become builders of China-Slovakia friendship. Professor Jana Benická, Slovak Director of the Confucius Institute at Comenius University, extended a warm welcome to all guests, judges, and contestants, wishing them the best in their performances and enjoyment of learning Chinese.
The competition was conducted in two categories: college and high school. Each contestant completed a self-introduction, a thematic speech, a Q&A session, and a Chinese culture talent show. During the speech session, contestants shared their personal stories and insights on cultural exchange, deeply moving the audience. The talent show featured classical Chinese dance, Chinese songs, and poetry recitations, drawing rounds of applause.
After nearly four hours of intense competition, Kristián Blaženec, a former student of the Confucius Institute at Comenius University, won first prize in the college category. Adam Onderuš, a student from the Bilingual Chinese-Slovak High School in Banská Bystrica, won first prize in the high school category. The two winners will represent Slovakia at the global finals in China.
The Chinese Bridge is not only a language contest but also a meaningful cultural encounter. This competition provided a platform for Slovak Chinese learners, further inspiring their enthusiasm for the language and deepening local appreciation of Chinese culture. We look forward to the two winners excelling in the global finals and continuing to build a broader bridge of friendship between China and Slovakia.
*Award List of the 25th Chinese Bridge – Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students – Slovakia Qualifier
First Prize：Kristián Blaženec
Second Prize：Katarína Mikulová
Third Prize：Sofia Piškaninová
*Award List of the 19th Chinese Bridge – Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign High Students – Slovakia Qualifier
First Prize：Adam Onderuš
Second Prize：Lucia Weisová
Third Prize：Petronela Barčíková