A contestant participates in the national qualification contest of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese language proficiency competition for foreign university students in Sofia, Bulgaria, May 11, 2025.

SOFIA, May 11 (Xinhua) -- The Bulgarian national round of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese language proficiency competition for foreign university students was held at the Confucius Institute in Sofia on Sunday.

Eight contestants from three Bulgarian universities delivered speeches, participated in quiz games related to Chinese language and culture, and showcased their artistic talents during the event.

Tiana Aleksieva, a student at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski," emerged as the winner and will represent Bulgaria in the competition's final stage in China.

The runner-up, Monika Petrova, also from Sofia University, will attend it as a spectator.

Aleksieva, 23, told Xinhua that she has been studying Chinese for five years, including one year in Beijing. She described the award as a reward for her dedication. "It will encourage me to continue learning Chinese," Aleksieva said.

She noted that this was her first time participating in the "Chinese Bridge" competition. Prompted by her professors' encouragement, she decided that as a final-year student, it was the right time to test her knowledge. She wanted "to prove to myself the level I had reached."

Currently, several Bulgarian universities, including Sofia University and the University of Veliko Turnovo, offer programs focused on the Chinese language and China.

Eight contestants from three Bulgarian universities delivered speeches, participated in quiz games related to Chinese language and culture, and showcased their artistic talents during the event. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua)