The Shandong Friendship Publishing House opened a Nishan Book House at the Confucius Institute of E?tv?s Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest, capital of Hungary on Oct 29.

The book house is the second of its kind in Hungary and it is the 37th overseas branch of Nishan Book House, a cultural chain brand created by the Shandong Friendship Publishing House to promote Chinese culture overseas.

Nishan, or Mount Ni, located in Qufu, Shandong province, is regarded as the birthplace of Confucius, the great ancient Chinese educator and philosopher.

Founded in 1986, the Shandong Friendship Publishing House is a professional publishing company affiliated with the Shandong Publishing Group. It has set up several branches to promote Chinese culture overseas.

Liu Zhifu, an official from the Shandong Federation of Social Science, made a speech extending gratitude to ELTE's assistance and support with the settlement of the book house.

"Hungary is an important country involved in the Belt and Road Initiative while ELTE is one of the largest and most prestigious public higher education institutions in Hungary. Therefore, it is of great significance to set up Nishan Book House at the university," said Liu.

"We find that Hungarians have little knowledge of Chinese culture from previous investigation. The book house, offering books and various cultural activities, will serve as a channel to tell China's stories and promote friendly contacts and mutual understanding between the two peoples."

The book house will be jointly organized by the Shandong Publishing Group and the ELTE. It will carry out cultural exchanges in various forms such as book fairs, lectures, art exhibitions and performances.

Imre Hamar (left), vice president of E?tv?s Loránd University and Liu Zhifu, an official from the Shandong Federation of Social Science unveil the plaque for the Nishan Book House at the university on Oct 29. [Photo/sdyouyi.com.cn]

Publications presenting a detailed perspective of China and Chinese culture are available at the book house. [Photo/sdyouyi.com.cn]

The book house is the second of its kind in Hungary and it is the 37th overseas branch of Nishan Book House. [Photo/sdyouyi.com.cn]