"Sino-Balcanica" refers to the conference and the knowledge hub it represents and to the interdisciplinary study of cultural, linguistic, and historical intersections between China and the Balkan region. This field examines the multifaceted interactions and influences that have shaped the relationships between these two areas over time.
The first conference in this domain was the international scientific conference titled "Sino-Balcanica: Intersections of Culture, Language, and History," held in Ohrid, North Macedonia, from August 26 to 29, 2023. Organized by the Knowledge Center for Sinology, a collaboration between the World Sinology Center of Beijing Language and Culture University and the North Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the conference aimed to promote the development of Sinology in the Balkan region and explore the construction of a global network for dialogue among civilizations. The conference featured a diverse range of presentations from scholars across China and the Balkans, covering topics such as: The evolution of North Macedonian Sinology ; Comparative studies of Confucian and Platonic governance; Analyses of cultural festivals in China and Greece and discussions on the Belt and Road Initiative's impact on China-Balkan cultural communications. These discussions highlighted the rich tapestry of interactions between Chinese and Balkan cultures, languages, and histories, underscoring the importance of continued scholarly engagement in this field.
The Second Sino-Balkanica Conference was held in Sofia, Bulgaria from November 7 to 9, 2024 at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in Sofia, Bulgaria, titled “Sino-Balkan Cultural Dialogue: Challenges and Perspectives in a Global Context." The Conference was jointly organized by the Bulgarian Association of Sinologists and the World Sinology Center. The conference will take place on November 7th–9th, 2024, at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in Sofia, Bulgaria. The aim of this conference is to facilitate meaningful discussions and exchange of ideas among scholars, researchers, and experts from China, the Balkans, and beyond on the following topics: Historical and Contemporary Interactions between China and the Balkans; Language and Translation Studies in Sino-Balkan Cultural Relations; Educational and Academic Exchanges between China and the Balkans; Art, Literature, Religion and Philosophy in Sino-Balkan Cultural Dialogue; Problems and Perspectives of Balkan Sinology; Strategies for Promoting the Development of Balkan Sinology in Secondary and Higher Education.
The third Sino-Balkanica Conference 2025 is going to be hosted by the Hellenic Sinology Center of the Ionian University in Corfu, Greece.
