Culture
International Chinese Language Day has sparked vibrant celebrations around the globe, showcasing the global resonance of linguistic diversity and cultural inclusivity.
Marking its 2010 establishment, the day coincided with Grain Rain, one of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese calendar, and emphasized equal recognition of the United Nations' six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
In honor of the day, the Confucius Institute at Prince Sultan University, a premier private institution in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, organized vibrant celebrations on Saturday. The event showcased Chinese culture through activities such as calligraphy and embroidery workshops, alongside displays of intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, attracting local enthusiasts.
At the University of Zambia, the Confucius Institute also marked the occasion by hosting celebrations that welcomed members of the local Chinese community and participants eager to immerse themselves in Chinese traditions.
"It's quite a delicate art in which you learn on how to write the beautiful Chinese characters, also known as 'Han Zi' in Chinese," said Damian Mukumbuta, a Zambian student.
"Paper-cutting is one way of learning Chinese. You get to learn paper cutting in different ways, different styles, and it brings out different shapes which are really nice and attractive," said Godfridah Malama, a Zambian student.
Meanwhile, similar celebrations took place in Turkmenistan, adding to the worldwide enthusiasm for honoring Chinese language and culture.