CAIRO, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- A three-day cultural event marking World Arabic Language Day kicked off on Sunday in Egypt's capital Cairo.
Held at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) with the theme of "A Renewed Heritage in a Radiant Script," the event features exhibitions, live music performances with traditional Arabic instruments, seminars, and interactive workshops that highlight the enduring legacy and evolving art of the Arabic alphabet, according to Nancy Ammar, the museum's events coordinator.
El Tayeb Abbas, CEO of the NMEC, said the event underscored how the museum's collections reflect Egypt's deep historical ties to the Arabic language, with artifacts bearing inscriptions and calligraphy illustrating its role in documenting the country's journey, particularly during the Islamic era.
"The Arabic alphabet is essential for preserving the language and our cultural identity," said Amany Abdel-Fattah, an Arabic calligrapher attending the event. He emphasized the Arabic language's role as a carrier of knowledge, literature and tradition across generations.
The event was held in cooperation with Egypt's Al-Azhar University and the Embassy of Oman in Cairo.
World Arabic Language Day is observed annually on Dec. 18 to mark the United Nations General Assembly's 1973 decision to recognize Arabic as the UN's sixth official language. ■