9:34 a.m., Oct. 13, 2010----The University of Delaware community and the public is invited to attend the inauguration of the Confucius Institute at UD on Tuesday, Oct. 19, from 5-7 p.m., in Gore Recital Hall of the Roselle Center for the Arts. The celebration will continue on Oct. 20, with activities at several locations across campus.

A partnership of UD and Xiamen University, the new Confucius Institute is designed to enhance knowledge and understanding of Chinese language and culture, and provide information resources about China relating to entrepreneurship.

Starting at 5 p.m. on Oct. 19, remarks will be made by dignitaries from UD and Xiamen University, the office of the ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the U.S., and representatives from the Governor's Office and from Confucius Institute Headquarters.

A series of performances, from 5:45-6:15 p.m., will feature the Chinese Lion dance by the Penn Lions from the University of Pennsylvania; "The Sparkling Galaxy"on Chinese guzheng (horizontal harp) by New York musician Judy Yeh; the violin solo "Fisherman's Serenade"by UD's own Xiang Gao; and the traditional Chinese dance "The Splendor of Dunhuang"by UD's Dragonfly Dance Club. A reception will follow.

On Wednesday, Oct. 20, the celebration will continue with the following activities:

9 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Exhibition of traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy featuring Heliang Chen, China's esteemed painter and calligrapher. Institute for Global Studies, Elliott Hall.

2-4 p.m. -- Chinese martial arts demonstration and workshop. Activity Rooms No. 1 and No. 2, Carpenter Sports Building.

4:30-6 p.m. -- Chinese painting and calligraphy demonstration and workshop. Location to be announced.

7-9 p.m. -- Master Confucius, a screening of a 2010 Chinese feature film. Location to be announced.

The activities are free and open to the public