An increasing number of foreign cultural centres have opened in Cracow in recent years, and the city is close to rivalling the capital for the variety of its international guests. This week news emerged that the likes of Goethe, Cervantes, and the less imaginatively titled British Council, will be joined by Confucius this year.
China has begun an ambitious strategy to launch some 100 cultural institutes across the world by 2010. Cracow will be one of the first, pipping key cities such as Madrid, Warsaw and Budapest to the post.
Whilst the main thrust of the Confucius Centre will be the promotion of the Chinese language, the Cracow Institute will also be organising a wide range of cultural events.
As of yet the Chinese have not selected a venue for the centre, but they are confident of an Autumn opening. A delegation of Chinese businessmen is about to pitch up in Poland's second city, where a convivial reception is being organised in celebration of the success of Polish vodka on the Chinese market.
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