A Polish fourth-grader from Gdynia, Marysia Lejczak was recently acknowledged for her outstanding skills in mastering the Chinese language (Mandarin to be precise). She became a laureate in the International Chinese Language Competition for Primary School Students.

Marysia Lejczak is 10 and attends a primary school in Gdynia. In the International Language Competition „Bridge to the Chinese language” she competed with other primary school students, often much older than her. 

The vice-president of Gdynia for quality of life, Bartosz Bartoszewicz, congratulated the talented young girl and commented on her achievement as follows: “Such a victory is a unique promotion for Gdynia and our country. Marysia showed great talent and great determination, I would like to congratulate her and the teachers who prepared the student. I am sure that we will hear about Marysia again.”

China representatives personally awarded Marysia with her special diploma, underlining they were charmed by her pronunciation.

We are extremely proud and full of admiration for our student’s skills” – says Anna Jachowska, headmaster of the girl’s Primary School. “Marysia has no roots in China, she simply fell in love with this culture, now her brother and parents are learning Chinese along with her” – she told the Gdynia local media. 

Marysia explains she has two passions: Chinese poetry and singing. The language he speaks and reads is Mandarin.

„Chinese poetry is beautiful, but sometimes I have trouble understanding its meaning,” says the 10-year-old, who has been learning Mandarin for three years. 

“Fortunately, as an old Chinese proverb says, when you read a poem a hundred times, its meaning will reveal itself to you. So I hope that if I persevere in reciting […] Chinese poems and singing Chinese songs, I will one day become a real expert in Chinese language and culture” – Marysia explains – in Mandarin – in a video (see above).

Image: SP 21

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen