On April 30, the Confucius Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology at National University of Lesotho held the country's first-ever "International Chinese Language Day" celebration at the university's main auditorium. As the first large-scale cultural exchange event organized by the Confucius Institute since its inauguration, the celebration attracted wide participation from representatives of both China and Lesotho, as well as from various sectors of society. Over 500 attendees were present, including H.E. Ambassador Yang Xiaokun of the Chinese Embassy in Lesotho, Prince Seeiso and Princess Senate of the Lesotho royal family, senior officials from Lesotho's Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, members of the Chinese medical team, representatives of Chinese enterprises and the Chinese community, teachers and students from the Confucius Classroom at Machabeng College International School of Lesotho and the China-Lesotho Friendship School, as well as faculty and students from the National University of Lesotho and its affiliated primary school. The event was covered and broadcast live by local media.

In his opening remarks, Professor Mosto, Vice Chancellor of the National University of Lesotho, stated that "International Chinese Language Day" event is not only a celebration of the Chinese language and culture, but also a significant milestone in the university's 80th anniversary, injecting new cultural momentum into its development. He emphasized that the establishment of the Confucius Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology has brought numerous benefits to the university and the local community, particularly in the areas of agricultural science and cross-cultural exchange, further strengthening the friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of China and Lesotho.

Prince Seeiso, in his speech, highlighted the importance of learning Chinese, especially for young people, noting that mastering the language opens up greater opportunities for career development and international engagement. He shared his personal experience of studying in China, encouraging students to cherish the learning platform provided by the Confucius Institute, commit themselves to studying Chinese, and pursue further studies in China.

Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho, H.E. Yang Xiaokun, introduced the origin of "International Chinese Language Day" in his address. He explained that the celebration was established by the United Nations in 2010 to promote multilingualism and cultural diversity, and to ensure the equal use of the six official languages of the UN. The choice of "Guyu," a traditional Chinese solar term, as the date for this observance, pays tribute to Cangjie, the legendary creator of Chinese characters. Ambassador Yang noted that holding this celebration for the first time in Lesotho marks a new milestone in the cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Lesotho.

The cultural performances at the event were vibrant and captivating. The Confucius Classroom at Machabeng College International School of Lesotho presented traditional Chinese martial arts, a hulusi (gourd flute) performance, and recitations of classical Chinese poetry. The choir from the National University of Lesotho's affiliated primary school performed the popular Chinese song “Don't Worry, the Sun Sets but the Moon Will Shine.” Students from the university's student union and faculty members from the School of Humanities showcased traditional Lesotho songs and dances. The highlight of the event was a demonstration of the traditional Chinese health exercise Baduanjin by the Chinese medical team, which sparked enthusiastic participation from the audience.

During the "Fun Culture Lecture" session, a young diplomat from the Chinese Embassy introduced the historical legend of Cangjie, the creator of Chinese characters, to launch the first cultural lesson of the Confucius Institute. Max, the local director of the Confucius Institute, and Li Shuai, head of the Confucius Classroom, also shared their personal experiences of studying in China, encouraging students to work hard in learning Chinese and to pursue broader international horizons.

The event also featured six cultural experience zones, including Chinese character matching games, calligraphy, paper-cutting art, tea tasting, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture demonstrations, as well as free medical consultations. These activities attracted enthusiastic participation from students, creating a lively atmosphere filled with frequent interaction and rounds of applause.

This "International Chinese Language Day" celebration not only showcased the charm of the Chinese language, but also served as a platform for cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Lesotho. It laid a solid foundation for the continued development of the Confucius Institute in Lesotho. Looking ahead, the Confucius Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology will continue to promote language education and cultural exchange, further deepening educational and people-to-people cooperation between China and Lesotho.