By Alex Christodoulides
A new program at Queens College can bring New Yorkers interested in Chinese culture, language and literature one step closer to satisfaction.
The Confucius Academy is to open June 6 in two locations in Queens, offering a variety of continuing education courses in Cantonese and Mandarin and Chinese history, music, dance, literature, painting, calligraphy and cuisine.
Classes for all ages — children, adults and senior citizens — are to meet either at Queens College's main campus at 65-30 Kissena Blvd. or its downtown Flushing location at 39-07 Prince St.
"Our faculty are experts in their respective fields and currently work at what they teach," said Thomas Cracovia, executive director of the Queens College continuing education program. "For example, the instructor who will teach our 'Introduction to Chinese Literature' course has written 10 novels in Chinese and is a pre-eminent editor and translator. The academy has extensive relationships with the Chinese community in New York and China, and with their input, will introduce new programs each semester."
Registration is already underway for the summer session. Schedules, course descriptions and registration information are available at www.cept.qc.edu/confucius.htm or by calling 718-997-5704.
