May 30–31, 2026 | Rotterdam
On May 30 and 31, 2026, Rotterdam became the vibrant stage for the Dutch Final of the Chinese Bridge Competition. Hosted by the Confucius Institute Maastricht in collaboration with the Nuffic China Network and the Chinese Language Centre Rotterdam, the event brought together talented secondary school students and college students from across the Netherlands.
Celebrating the theme “天下一家 — One World, One Family,” this year’s edition proved once again that Chinese Bridge is about much more than competition.
More Than a Competition
At the end of the final day, we spoke with one of the participants who had delivered an excellent speech but had not won a prize.
“Did you feel disappointed?” we asked.
He smiled.
“Not really. I enjoyed the weekend. I learned so much from the other participants, and I made new friends.”
His answer stayed with us.
Because while Chinese Bridge ultimately selects a winner to represent the Netherlands at the global finals in China, this weekend reminded us that the competition itself is only part of the story.
What began months earlier with event preparations, lessons, rehearsals, and support from teachers and organizers, came together in Rotterdam as something larger: a shared experience.
And over the course of one weekend, that experience became a community.
A Weekend That Brought People Together
For the first time, participants from secondary schools and universities came together for a full Chinese Immersion Weekend ahead of the national final.
Instead of meeting as competitors on the day of the event, they spent 48 hours together; learning, practising, sharing meals, exploring the city, and getting to know one another.
Saturday morning started with an interactive language workshop, where students immediately engaged with the language in a lively and collaborative setting. It didn’t take long before initial nerves gave way to laughter and exchange.
After an authentic Chinese lunch, the group headed into Rotterdam’s Chinatown for a team-based “speurtocht” (scavenger hunt). Divided into four groups, students worked together to complete creative and cultural challenges. What could have been a simple activity quickly became a moment of bonding. Four teams navigating the city, solving tasks, and sharing perspectives.
Students who had never met before quickly recognized something familiar in each other. They understood what it meant to practise tones late into the evening. They knew the challenge of memorizing characters and refining pronunciation. And they shared a curiosity for a culture different from their own.
From Strangers to a Shared Stage
By the time the group arrived at Wolfert Tweetalig for the evening program, something had shifted. They were no longer strangers.
The talent show became one of the most memorable moments of the weekend. Participants took the stage with music, dance, calligraphy, and martial arts performances, each expressing a personal connection to Chinese culture.
What stood out was not just talent, but courage.
Standing on a stage, especially in a different cultural context, requires confidence. It means embracing uncertainty, accepting imperfections, and daring to express yourself.
And every participant chose to do exactly that.
The evening ended with a shared Chinese buffet, where conversations continued long after the performances were over. Laughter replaced nerves, and new friendships took shape before everyone returned to the hotel for a well-earned rest.
A Perfect Start to Competition Day
Sunday morning began with a moment that many will remember: a Kungfu workshop by the river, under perfect weather conditions. Against the backdrop of Rotterdam’s skyline, participants practised movement, focus, and balance, experiencing Chinese culture not just intellectually, but physically.
This was followed by a Chinese knotting workshop, symbolizing connection, unity, and good fortune—fitting themes for the weekend itself.
The Stage at the Wereldmuseum
In the afternoon, participants arrived at the Wereldmuseum Rotterdam, where the final competition took place.
The event opened with a spectacular Lion Dance, setting a festive and celebratory tone. In the audience, alongside teachers and guests, family members and friends had gathered to support the participants, adding an extra layer of warmth and encouragement to the atmosphere. Each student stepped onto the stage not only to perform, but to share their journey with those who had supported them along the way.
Adding to the cultural richness of the afternoon was a beautiful traditional Chinese clothing performance titled “Chinese Female Costume Showcase – The Language of Clothing (衣冠之语): Six Women Across Dynasties.” Through carefully presented historical costumes, the showcase highlighted the elegance and evolution of traditional Chinese dress across different dynasties, offering the audience a vivid insight into how clothing reflects identity, history, and cultural values.
Participants then delivered their speeches:
- College students on “One World, One Family 天下一家”
- Secondary school students on “Fly high with Chinese 追梦中文，不负韶华”
By this point, something was noticeably different.
Participants were no longer speaking in front of strangers.
They were speaking in front of peers who had shared the same journey.
Their speeches reflected not only language skills, but personal stories, ambitions, and reflections. Together, they demonstrated that language learning is not just about grammar or vocabulary, but about connection, understanding, and perspective.
Between the speeches, the audience revisited memories through highlights from previous editions, while former winners shared inspiring words, encouraging participants to continue their journey on and off the stage.
Celebrating Achievement—Beyond Winning
In the end, only one participant per category could win the grand prize and the opportunity to represent the Netherlands at the Global Final in China.
We warmly congratulate Rosalie Louwes, winner of the University Students Competition, and Irene J., winner of the Secondary School Students Competition. Their performances reflected months and in some cases years of dedication, perseverance, and hard work.
We also extend our congratulations to the other prize winners, whose strong performances contributed to the exceptionally high level of this year’s competition: Leon Verbakel (2nd place) and Eslem Sude Topsakal (3rd place) in the college category, and Sachi R. (2nd place) and Nihad S. (3rd place) in the secondary school category.
Yet, as the weekend made clear, the success of Chinese Bridge cannot be measured by rankings alone.
- The friendships formed during the weekend
- The confidence students discovered in themselves
- The conversations that continued long after the competition ended
The event concluded with a closing drink, where participants, teachers, and guests came together one final time sharing experiences, reflecting on the journey, and celebrating what they had achieved together.
One World, One Family
The Chinese sociologist Fei Xiaotong captured the spirit of this event beautifully:
各美其美，美人之美，美美与共。
“Appreciate the beauty of your own culture, appreciate the beauty of others, and together create a world where different cultures flourish side by side.”
Looking back at the participant who told us he had made new friends, we realized that perhaps Chinese Bridge had already achieved its most important goal.
Not simply selecting a winner.
But bringing young people together.
And reminding us that the bridges we build today may shape a more connected world tomorrow.
With Thanks and Looking Ahead
This event would not have been possible without the dedication and support of many. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all teachers, partners, volunteers, families, and supporters who contributed to making this weekend such a meaningful and successful experience.
Their commitment behind the scenes and their encouragement throughout the event, played an essential role in creating an environment in which students could learn, perform, and grow with confidence.
We also thank all participants for their enthusiasm, courage, and openness in embracing this journey.
As we look ahead, we hope to welcome many of you again next year continuing to build bridges, share experiences, and bring people together through language and culture.
