On December 1, the “After-School Program on Traditional Chinese Sports” was launched through the collaboration between San Marino Confucius Institute and the local school sports program.
The two-month initiative marks the first partnership between the CI and the national school sports program, forming a core component of the broader initiative “We Play Sports”. The program is being rolled out across all schools nationwide, representing the first time that a systematic curriculum of traditional Chinese sports has been integrated into San Marino’s basic education system—an effort that has drawn significant attention from schools, teachers, and parents alike.
The after-school activities aim to introduce local youth to Chinese culture through engaging and culturally rich traditional sports, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of Chinese physical practices and lifestyle. Featured activities include touhu (pitch-pot), jianzi (shuttlecock kicking), introductory Tai Chi, and Wuqinxi (Five Animal Exercises).
Claudia Righetti, Head of San Marino’s School Physical Education Program, praised the collaboration as an innovative addition to local school sports: “These traditional Chinese sports are both culturally meaningful and fun—they embody distinctive oriental characteristics while remaining suitable for children and teenagers”.Guo Xiaoxia, the Chinese Director of the CI, noted that the CI’s teaching team is responsible for curriculum design and instructional support, ensuring the program’s safety, educational value, and cultural depth.
The partnership follows extensive joint planning and multiple preparatory meetings between both sides. This initiative represents a significant step in bringing traditional Chinese sports into San Marino’s classrooms and weaving cultural learning into everyday life. Beyond language acquisition, the program seeks to help children gain a more intuitive understanding of Chinese culture through physical practice, while fostering a diverse campus culture.
This collaboration with San Marino’s school physical education team marks a new milestone for the CI in the field of sports and cultural exchange.
