Visitors now can have close contact with the time-honored Chinese characters through an exhibition in Vienna.

The three-week Chinese characters exhibition, which opened on May 10, 2011 at the Vienna International Center, is part of the UN Chinese Language Day celebrations.

The three-week exhibition, which opened Tuesday at the Vienna International Center, is part of the UN Chinese Language Day celebrations.

During the event, visitors can learn about the production, development and evolution of the written Chinese language.

The exhibition in the building that also houses the UN offices in Vienna features writing brushes, ink sticks, ink slabs and paper. A calligraphy performance will give the visitors a more intuitive understanding of the history and profoundness of Chinese characters and China's culture.

Dennis Thatchaichawalit, director of Division for Management of the UN Office at Vienna, hailed the opening as a cultural banquet.

The exhibition not only displays the history, culture and beauty of Chinese characters, but also deepens the understanding of Chinese as one of the UN official languages, he said.

Thatchaichawalit added that the Chinese language was becoming increasingly popular due to China's growing economy and pledged continuous efforts to promote linguistic diversity.

Chen Peijie, charge d'affaires ad interim at China's Permanent Mission to the UN in Vienna, also attended the ceremony. She said the Chinese characters have a history of more than 5,000 years and are representative of the Chinese language and culture.

The main function of language is to promote exchanges, she said.

(China.org.cn, Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2011)