Paris, December 17 (BNA) The global community celebrates the International Day of the Arabic Language on December 18 under the slogan “The Arabic language is a bridge between civilizations.”
UNESCO says that Arabic is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and is used daily by more than 400 million people. World Arabic Language Day has been celebrated every year on December 18 since 2012.
This date coincides with the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted Arabic as the sixth official language of the organization in 1973.
In its diversity of forms, classical or dialect, from oral expression to poetic line, the Arabic language has given rise to a remarkable aesthetic in fields as diverse as architecture, poetry, philosophy, and song.
It gives access to an incredible variety of identities and beliefs and its history reveals the richness of its connections with other languages.
The Arabic language played a catalytic role in knowledge, which led to the spread of Greek and Roman sciences and philosophies in the Renaissance in Europe. It enabled the dialogue of cultures along the Silk Roads, from the coast of India to the Horn of Africa.
The theme for this year’s World Arabic Language Day “The Arabic language is a bridge between civilizations” is a call to reaffirm the important role of the Arabic language in connecting people to culture, science, literature and many other fields.
The topic highlights the historical role of the Arabic language in the creation and transmission of knowledge, as well as in promoting dialogue and peacebuilding.
For centuries the Arabic language has been the common ground and conductor that reflects the richness of human existence and provides access to many resources.
In societies that are increasingly globalized, digitized and multilingual, the theme of 2021 is of urgent importance.
It recognizes the changing world and the need to promote dialogue between nations and peoples.
To celebrate the day, UNESCO will organize a virtual panel discussion on December 17, where experts, academics, journalists and representatives of specialized institutions will gather to discuss the historical role of the Arabic language in the creation and transmission of knowledge and the Arabic language as a tool for promoting dialogue and building peace.
The celebration also coincides with the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2013-2022), of which UNESCO is the lead United Nations agency.
On this occasion, UNESCO is organizing an exhibition on the “Arabic language as a bridge between civilizations” with the support of the Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation, on the walls of its headquarters in Paris, from 6 to 20 December 2021.
Celebrating the rich diversity of the Arabic language, its strong links with different cultural expressions, and its important role in connecting peoples and promoting dialogue, diverse approaches to the use of Arabic and calligraphy will be presented.
Composed of poignant artworks, it aims to spread the message of hope, peace, resilience and beauty among people, regardless of their language, culture or any other difference.
The exhibition includes works by 18 artists from 13 countries around the world. Applying various techniques, from classic calligraphy to contemporary graffiti styles, these artists incorporate Arabic letters into their work to address human themes and convey messages of hope, peace, resilience and unity.
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