Chinese Language Day celebrated at UN with cultural exhibition
Guests pose for photo at a Chinese cultural exhibition to mark the 15th UN Chinese Language Day at the United Nations, on April 19, 2024. (Xinhua)
Chinese, one of the six official languages of the United Nations (UN) and used by nearly a fifth of the world's population, is an essential part of human cultural heritage, Denis Francis, president of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, said here Friday at a Chinese cultural exhibition.
The event, themed "Encountering Chinese Characters, Harmony and Coexistence," was hosted by the Chinese city of Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province, to mark the 15th UN Chinese Language Day.
The exhibition offered an immersive cultural experience that combined Chinese calligraphy, painting, music and tea.
Language is not just a means of communication but also a bridge connecting people and cultures, thereby enriching our life experiences, said Francis, who shared his experience with Chinese calligraphy.
"During my visit to China in January this year, I had the opportunity to try calligraphy. I wrote the Chinese character 'Fu,' meaning 'happiness,'" he said.
The UN's Language Days, created in 2010, celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity and promote the equal use of the organization's six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
The date for the Chinese Language Day was selected from Guyu, or Grain Rain, the sixth of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, to pay tribute to Cangjie, a legendary figure in ancient China said to be the inventor of Chinese characters.
The exhibition was divided into three sections, exploring the historical evolution, artistic representation, and innovative design of Chinese characters.
Chinese and foreign musicians performed traditional Chinese music pieces such as "Plum Blossom Melody" and "Jasmine Flower."
In addition, visitors could engage directly with Chinese culture through activities like calligraphy and tea tasting.
"I believe everyone will not only appreciate the long heritage and unique charm of Chinese characters but also feel the vibrant contemporary energy radiating from Chinese cities like Nanjing," said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN.
Fu said that the allure of the Chinese language and civilization has become even more appreciated with significant contribution to human progress.
Related articles
Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf is spotted on the streets of Gavin and Stacey's hometown Barry
Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf has shocked onlookers after being spotted on the streets of Barry in Wal2024-05-21I'm an influencer and these are the things I never expected about the job
Many people dream of becoming 'TikTok famous', but one star found the reality when not quite as she2024-05-21Xi, Honduran president exchange congratulations on 1st anniversary of ties
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Honduran President Xiomara Castro exchanged congratulations on Tues2024-05-21Fighter jets fire at targets in live
(China Military Online) 10:12, April 15, 2024A fighter jet attached to a brigade under the PLA Air F2024-05-21Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A county judge could rule as early as Monday on Ohio’s law banning virtually a2024-05-21China's Qin leads field into men's 50m breaststroke final at Aquatics Worlds
(Xinhua) 11:25, July 26, 2023Qin Haiyang of China competes during the men's 50m breaststroke semifin2024-05-21
atest comment