30.09.2025 / Side Events of APACCCEEC during the Scientific Conference ‘Traditions Meet Innovations’
This year, the Agricultural University – Plovdiv is celebrating its 80th anniversary by organizing a Scientific conference ‘Traditions Meets Innovations’, which will take place from October 28 to 31, 2025, in Plovdiv.
In this context, as a long-standing partner of the Agricultural University – Plovdiv, APACCCEEC is organizing two side events, respectively on Wednesday, October 29, and Thursday, October 30.
On October 29, 2025, from 15:00 to 17:30, in the Demonstration Zone of Agricultural Cooperation between China and the CEE Countries at the Agricultural University – Plovdiv, the workshop ‘Tea Ceremony and Presentation: Introduction to the Practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine’ will be held, led by Mr. Anton Agov and Mr. Kiril Dimitrov.
Anton Agov is the founder and owner of the Mama Bilka store as well as chairman of the Bulgarian-Chinese Association for Traditional Chinese Medicinal Culture. He is the great-grandson of Zhang Sunfen (张荪芬), who helped establish the Chinese Language Department at the Sofia University during the 20th century and received the highest honors for cultural contribution to Bulgaria.
He also graduated from the University of Chinese Medicine in Nanjing. After obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, he now wishes to bring the wisdom and promise of Chinese medicine to Bulgaria and to promote Chinese culture and lifestyle in Bulgaria.
Kiril Dimitrov is a tea lover and student of Chinese tea ceremony, having studied under a master at the Chinese Cultural Center in Sofia. He enthusiastically brings the ancient “way of tea” into modern society, hosting regular tea ceremony events throughout the country and introducing many people to this ancient beverage, including its historical use.
Description of the workshop:
Tea ceremonies provide an opportunity to explore the subtleties of taste and the profound wisdom of an ancient culture in a modern social setting that encourages interaction and communication among people.
Participants will learn about the philosophy and basic practices of traditional Chinese medicine, with a short lecture showing its integral part in Chinese culture, as well as its use in the modern day.
The tea ceremony demonstration and the tasting of key varieties of Chinese tea will introduce the audience to the essential elements of tea culture, the different types of tea, and the distinctions in their preparation and consumption. During this workshop, participants will immerse themselves in the harmony and the human–nature connection, which are fundamental principles of Chinese philosophy.
Both topics are closely related to agriculture and agricultural crops, offering the audience an opportunity to engage in an interesting discussion.
On October 30, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., a workshop on calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting will be held to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Agricultural University, led by Li Shuqing. The event will be held at the Luban Workshop, Agricultural University in Plovdiv.
Li Shuqing graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the Textile Department of the China Academy of Art. After graduation, she worked at the Liaoning Institute of Media. In 2024, she came to Bulgaria to continue her education, and is currently a first-year doctorate student in the Textile Department at the National Academy of Arts in Sofia.
Description of the workshop:
In her workshop, Li Shuqing will present the theoretical and practical basics of Chinese calligraphy and traditional painting. The ancient art of Chinese calligraphy (书法, shūfǎ) combines aesthetics, philosophy, and technique. During the workshop, participants will be able to join in and write their own characters on rice paper, experiencing the beauty of this ancient art and understanding the main differences between it and Western painting.
The workshop will give participants the opportunity to learn the basics of writing with beautiful, expressive, and harmonious characters, and to showcase their skills in this ancient art.
Participation in both events is free of charge. Due to the limited capacity, please confirm your attendance at: zzahariev@china2ceec.org
More information, the preliminary program, and registration forms for the Scientific Conference ‘Traditions Meet Innovations’ can be found here: https://80years.au-plovdiv.bg/
