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Celebrate UN Chinese Language Day

　　The United Nations has six official languages, Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. In order to emphasize the importance of linguistic and cultural diversity and promote the equal use of the six official languages ​​of the United Nations, in 2010, the United Nations Department of Public Information (now the Department of Global Communications ) announced the launch of the United Nations Language Day. The initiative aims to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity and promote equal use of the six official languages ​​at the United Nations. In the same year, after a demonstration by domestic experts, the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations suggested to the United Nations that Chinese Language Day should be designated as the day of the traditional Chinese solar term "Grain Rain" on April 20 every year to commemorate the contribution of Cangjie, the "ancestor of Chinese characters", in creating characters. .

　　Since the first celebration was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on November 12, 2010, the United Nations Chinese Language Day has become a window for people to understand Chinese culture. Every year around Chinese Day, the United Nations Headquarters in New York will launch a series of colorful activities, covering art exhibitions, Chinese learning forums, special lectures, fashion and traditional opera exhibitions, etc.

　　In addition, the United Nations offices in Geneva, Bangkok, Nairobi, Vienna, and other United Nations agencies will also hold exhibitions, lectures, interesting quizzes and other activities to highlight the charm of the Chinese language and Chinese culture.

Gu Yu and Cangjie Invented Characters

　　Guyu is the last solar term in spring. At this time, the first planting of seedlings and new crops in the field need the nourishment of rainwater most, so it is said that "spring rain is as expensive as oil". At the end of spring and the approach of summer, duckweed in the pond begins to grow, and spring tea is also harvested around this time. At this moment, it gives people a scene of the growth and prosperity of all things, as the saying goes, "the season of the year lies in spring". 

　　Regarding the origin of the Grain Rain Festival, according to "Huainanzi", Cangjie's creation of characters was an earth-shattering event. The Yellow Emperor issued an edict in late spring and early summer, announcing the success of Cangjie's coining of characters, and called on the people of the world to learn it together. According to legend, he moved the Emperor of Heaven because of his merits in making characters. At that time, the world was suffering from a famine, so he ordered the heavenly soldiers and generals to open the granary of the Tiangong, and it rained millet, and all the people in the world were saved. Therefore, later generations named this day Guyu, which became one of the twenty-four solar terms.