by Xinhua writer Li Jun

SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The rhythmic swish of Chinese silk fans filled the air as students from Iraq's Salahaddin University stepped onto the stage. With graceful movements and traditional Chinese melodies playing in the background, they brought to life an ancient art form thousands of kilometers away from its origin -- right here in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of northern Iraq.

This vibrant fan dance was part of the celebration of UN Chinese Language Day on Sunday at the University of Sulaimani, drawing about 400 guests from government, academia, and the public. Under the theme "Chinese Language: A Gift Across Time and Space," the event showcased the growing enthusiasm for the Chinese language and culture in Iraq.

UN Chinese Language Day has been observed annually on April 20 since 2010, coinciding with "Guyu" (Grain Rain) in the traditional Chinese calendar to honour Cangjie, credited legendarily with inventing Chinese characters.

The audience was treated to a rich lineup of Chinese cultural performances, including poetry recitations and a rendition of a popular Chinese song paying homage to facial makeup in Beijing Opera.

A short video on the evolution of Chinese characters drew nods of interest, while a Chinese martial arts display brought the house to life with thunderous applause.

"The Chinese language is one of the most historically enduring, structurally elegant, and intellectually profound languages in the world. It is a cultural treasure China offers to humanity," said Consul Zou Demin from the Chinese Consulate General in Erbil.

In his speech, Zou noted the deepening cooperation between China and Iraq's Kurdistan region under the Belt and Road Initiative, and emphasized the rising local interest in learning Chinese.

At the heart of that momentum is Iraq's Salahaddin University, which in 2019 became the first Iraqi university to offer an academic degree in the Chinese language.

According to Saman Hussein Omar, dean of the College of Languages at Salahaddin University, the Chinese language department currently has 85 students, five of whom are now in China for a six-month exchange program.

Chinese language fever is a worldwide trend as China's role in global affairs continues to grow, and the students see Chinese as a gateway to broader opportunities, said the dean.

"I love the Chinese language, Chinese culture, and Chinese food. I love everything about China," Lana Perdawood, a second-year Chinese major from Salahaddin University, said in fluent Chinese.

Last year, she participated in a one-month exchange program in Shanghai, where she made many friends and discovered a new world. "I want to be a Chinese language teacher after graduation. My dream is to build bridges of understanding between Iraq and China in the future," she said, her eyes burning with determination.

The enthusiasm is not limited to students in the Chinese language department. Hero, a graduate of English literature from the University of Sulaimani, speaks fluent English, Kurdish, and Arabic. For the past year and a half, she has been self-studying Chinese and has passed the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Level 2.

"It's not easy to study Chinese by myself while I also need to work to support myself, but I'm determined to keep going. It opens my mind and offers me new possibilities for the future," said Hero, whose Mandarin tones sound like those of a native Chinese speaker.

She has visited many Chinese cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, but her favorite city is Hangzhou, in eastern China's Zhejiang Province. "It's known as 'heaven on earth,' and I fell in love with it," she said, adding that hot pot is her favorite Chinese dish.

For Guo Yanhong, a Chinese language instructor at Salahaddin University, watching her students grow passionate about Chinese is deeply fulfilling.

"We are seeing more and more Iraqi youth choosing Chinese as their major. The seeds of Chinese language education have taken root here. For many young Iraqis, learning Chinese has become a dream," Guo said. Enditem

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