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World Celebrates First International Taijiquan Day Acknowledged by UNESCO
The inaugural International Taijiquan Day, recognized by UNESCO, was celebrated globally. Festivities occurred across China, including a mass demonstration at Wuyi Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with over 1,200 Tai Chi practitioners from nine countries and 10 Chinese regions participating.
UNESCO designated March 21 as International Taijiquan Day at its General Conference in Uzbekistan on November 5, 2023. The date coincides with the Chinese solar term Chunfen, or the vernal equinox, symbolizing balance between life and nature, according to Ekarat Janrathitikarn, dean of the Maritime Silk Road Confucius Institute in Thailand. Celebrations also took place at the historic homes of Tai Chi, including Wudang Mountain, Wenxian, and Handan. Lidia Brito, UNESCO's assistant director-general for social and human sciences, stated Taijiquan promotes peace and intergenerational understanding. Janrathitikarn, a Tai Chi devotee, noted his school added Taijiquan to its curriculum in 2016.
Key Facts
- UNESCO's first International Taijiquan Day was marked with global celebrations.
- The main event occurred at Wuyi Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage site in China.
- More than 1,200 Tai Chi practitioners from nine countries participated in the Wuyi Mountain event.
- UNESCO officially designated March 21 as International Taijiquan Day.
- The date aligns with Chunfen, the vernal equinox, embodying Tai Chi's philosophy of balance.
- Taijiquan is the first martial art recognized with an official international day within the UN system.
- Tai Chi events also occurred at Wudang Mountain, Wenxian, and Handan.
- Taijiquan is recognized as both an intangible cultural heritage and a global fitness practice.