2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games

Let the games begin! Today’s Doodle celebrates the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games, held this year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Over 200 countries will take part this year, sending thousands of athletes age 15-18 to the summer games. Described by the International Olympic Committee as “an elite sporting event for young people from all over the world,” the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are much like the Olympic Games (OG) in many respect. They have a mascot—this year it’s Pandi the teen jaguar, who loves sports and is native to Argentina. The games occur every four years in a different city and country with summer and winter editions. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded for first, second, and third place — this year designed by 18-year-old Farid Husen from Indonesia. This year kiteboarding and BMX freestyle park will make their debuts, as well as a new version of handball that’s played on the beach. Football (aka soccer) is out, in favor of futsal — an indoor game played on a smaller hard court. This year will also feature mixed gender events as well as mixed National Olympic Committee events, bringing athletes from different countries together on the same team. Athletes are not the only young people who can get involved in YOG. There are also opportunities for Young Reporters, Ambassadors and Athlete Role Models. Besides showing off their athletic skills, participants take part in workshops and other activities designed to expose young people to different cultures and instill the Olympic Values: Friendship, Respect and Excellence as well as Determination, Inspiration, Courage and Equality. Good luck to all the athletes at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games! Doodle by " Cynthia Yuan Cheng " and " Vrinda Zaveri ".

06.10.2018-Saturday-சனி-Doodle by Cynthia Yuan Cheng and Vrinda Zaveri-2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games-GIF.

Mid Autumn Festival (Vietnam) 2018

Today, many east Asian nations celebrate Mid-Autumn Festivals, timed with the harvest moon – including China, Taiwan, Hong Hong, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. This shared holiday is generally a day off work for the whole country, and jumps around on the Roman calendar because it’s based on the lunar one. Going under various names, Mid-Autumn Festivals occur on the first full moon after the Fall equinox. The position of the moon is important for rice farming, and mid-Autumn festivals are linked this way to agriculture. East Asian countries have their own mythologies and folk traditions associated with Mid-Autumn festivals. All Mid-Autumn Festivals involve food, and most include some form of “moon cakes.” In general these Mid-Autumn Festivals are about families getting together to express gratitude, and celebrate seasonal change. They often stretch to three days, incorporating the days before and after, and rank among the biggest holidays of the year. So to East Asia and the entire diaspora: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Doodle " by " Cynthia Yuan Cheng.

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Mid-Autumn Festival 2018

Today, many east Asian nations celebrate Mid-Autumn Festivals, timed with the harvest moon – including China, Taiwan, Hong Hong, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. This shared holiday is generally a day off work for the whole country, and jumps around on the Roman calendar because it’s based on the lunar one. Going under various names, Mid-Autumn Festivals occur on the first full moon after the Fall equinox. The position of the moon is important for rice farming, and mid-Autumn festivals are linked this way to agriculture. East Asian countries have their own mythologies and folk traditions associated with Mid-Autumn festivals. Japan has a story about a visible goddess and rabbit in the moon. Koreans believe it’s a day to celebrate their ancestors. China’s traditions, carried out in several other countries as well, involve lighting thousands of red paper lanterns. All Mid-Autumn Festivals involve food, and most include some form of “moon cakes.” Chinese and Vietnamese moon cakes are baked and branded with characters; Korean mooncakes are made from rice flour and steamed over pine needles; Japanese mooncakes are spherical, like little moons. In general these Mid-Autumn Festivals are about families getting together to express gratitude, and celebrate seasonal change. They often stretch to three days, incorporating the days before and after, and rank among the biggest holidays of the year. So to East Asia and the entire diaspora: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Doodle " by " Cynthia Yuan Cheng.

24.09.2018 - Monday - திங்கள் - Doodle by Cynthia Yuan Cheng - Mid-Autumn Festival 2018 - PNG.

Mid Autumn Festival (Japan) 2018

Today, many east Asian nations celebrate Mid-Autumn Festivals, timed with the harvest moon – including China, Taiwan, Hong Hong, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. This shared holiday is generally a day off work for the whole country, and jumps around on the Roman calendar because it’s based on the lunar one. Going under various names, Mid-Autumn Festivals occur on the first full moon after the Fall equinox. The position of the moon is important for rice farming, and mid-Autumn festivals are linked this way to agriculture. East Asian countries have their own mythologies and folk traditions associated with Mid-Autumn festivals. Japan has a story about a visible goddess and rabbit in the moon. All Mid-Autumn Festivals involve food, and most include some form of “moon cakes.” Like the ones depicted in today's Doodle, Japanese mooncakes are spherical, like little moons. In general these Mid-Autumn Festivals are about families getting together to express gratitude, and celebrate seasonal change. They often stretch to three days, incorporating the days before and after, and rank among the biggest holidays of the year. So to East Asia and the entire diaspora: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Doodle " by " Cynthia Yuan Cheng.

24.09.2018-Monday-திங்கள்-Doodle by Cynthia Yuan Cheng-Mid Autumn Festival (Japan) 2018-PNG.

Ibn Sina’s 1038th Birthday

One of the pre-modern world’s most influential philosophers, Ibn Sina (sometimes known as “Avicenna” in the West) was born in the year 980, during what’s now known as the Islamic Golden Age. Ibn Sina grew up in Afšana, a village near Bukhara, near present-day Uzbekistan. A self-taught polymath, Ibn Sina learned Indian arithmetic from an Indian grocer. He continued to pursue learning throughout his life, undertaking an intense study of Aristotle’s Metaphysics when he was in his teens, and studying medicine from the age of 16 (reportedly finding this subject “easy”). A writer in a wide range of fields, Ibn Sina authored 131 books, the most influential of which is the monumental Al Qanun fil-Tibb, ‘The Canon of Medicine.’ This pioneering study was translated into Latin in the 12th century, and became the predominant text used in European medical courses until the 17th century. The first work to identify contagious diseases such as tuberculosis, to hypothesize that soil and water spread sickness, and to set forth the basics of anatomy, pediatrics, and gynecology, the ‘Canon’ is now credited as forming the basis of Western medicine. Today’s Doodle celebrates Ibn Sina: a life devoted to education and the spirit of learning for the betterment of humankind.

07.08.2018-1-Tuesday-செவ்வாய்-Doodle by Cynthia Yuan Cheng-Ibn Sina’s 1038th Birthday-PNG.

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07.08.2018-4-Tuesday-செவ்வாய்-Doodle by Cynthia Yuan Cheng-Early Concept _ 3 _ of the Doodle-Ibn Sina’s 1038th Birthday-JPEG.

Pumpuang Duangjan’s 57th Birthday

04.08.2018-Saturday-சனி-Doodle by Cynthia Yuan Cheng-Pumpuang Duangjan’s 57th Birthday-PNG.

Luk Thung is a form of Thai country music expressing the trials and tribulations of everyday life in Thailand’s rural provinces. The name, meaning “children of the field,” is also an apt description of Pumpuang “Peung” Duangjan, one of the genres most loved performers who grew up cutting sugarcane in the fields of North Thailand to help her family survive. When Duangian wasn’t helping her family in the fields, she began an apprenticeship at the age of 12 with a Luk Thung master who taught her a vast catalog of songs and their accompanying dances. She moved to Bangkok at age 15, where she broadened her repertoire by incorporating pop songs. Her career turned a corner when she collaborated with a composer who mixed disco beats with traditional Luk Thung music. Not long after, Duangjan debuted her less reserved style on television, ushering in a new era for female Thai vocalists. In the mid-1980s, Duangjan released several hit albums that blended traditional Luk Thung music with danceable pop production. Her fur jackets and fashionable wardrobe also made her an icon for Thai people escaping poverty. As she sang in one of her timeless songs, “I came to the city to be a big star/It’s tough, but I can survive.” Peung’s indomitable spirit, hard work, and determination inspired future generations, cementing her legacy for many years to come. Doodle " by " Cynthia Yuan Cheng.

Venezuela Independence Day 2018

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Dragon Boat Festival 2018

June 18th marks the 5th day of the 5th month on the lunar calendar: the start of Dragon Boat Festival! Today, communities around Greater China and Southeast Asia celebrate their culture and remember ancient stories and traditions. The festival began as a way to pay tribute to Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet whose acts of patriotism are commemorated by dragon boat races each year.

The ancient tradition of Dragon boat racing has been a part of Asian culture for thousands of years. Participants row canoes shaped like fierce dragons, painted in vibrant colors to pay homage to ancient war canoes. The team of dragon boat sailors row as fast as they can toward a finish line while one team member sits toward the front of the ship and beats a drum to maintain their pace and keep spirits high. Today’s Doodle lets you sit in the back of the boat and become part of the action!

There are ways for everyone to celebrate the festival (even if you aren’t handling an oar). Traditional Dragon Boat festival customs include preparing and eating zongzi, a traditional Chinese food made with rice and filled with various stuffings, and then wrapped in leaves of bamboo, banana, or lotus. Depending on where you’re celebrating, you may enjoy sweet dessert zongzi filled with fruit or nuts, or more savory zongzi stuffed with chicken or pork. These delicious treats are a symbol of luck and an essential part of celebrations.

Check out a few additional variations of today’s Doodle from the artist Cynthia Yuan Cheng. Happy Dragon Boat Festival!

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18.06.2018-Monday-திங்கள்-Early Concept _ 1 _ of the Doodle from the Artist Cynthia Yuan Cheng-Dragon Boat Festival 2018-JPEG

18.06.2018-Monday-திங்கள்-Early Concept _ 2 _ of the Doodle from the Artist Cynthia Yuan Cheng-Dragon Boat Festival 2018-JPEG

18.06.2018-Monday-திங்கள்-Early Concept _ 3 _ of the Doodle from the Artist Cynthia Yuan Cheng-Dragon Boat Festival 2018-JPEG

Mudik 2018

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Orhan Veli Kanık’s 104th Birthday

Orhan Veli Kanık cast off the conventions of traditional Turkish poetry in favor of a simpler, plainly human verse that was accessible to all.

Born in Istanbul on April 13th, 1914, Kanık grew up with a love for literature and the arts, but dropped out of university after a year to work as a civil servant and translator. Poetry remained his passion, and in 1936, four of his early works were published in Varlıkmagazine, including Oaristys and Düşüncelerimin Başucunda. From 1936-1942, he avidly penned poems for six literary magazines, many written under the nom de plume Mehmet Ali Sel.

The period of Kanık’s greatest contribution began in 1941, when he and two friends published a daring poetry manifesto called Garip, meaning “strange.” In the introduction, Kanık dismissed the rigidity of traditional poetic styles, breaking form with meter, word choice, and theme. He even considered rhyming and the use of metaphor to be amateur and unnecessary.

Kanık believed poetry belonged to, and could be appreciated by, all people. Garip advocated for the use of everyday language and unclouded emotion, rather than a separate “poetic language.” The position was considered avant-garde and was initially met with scorn; however, the eponymous Garip movement gained immense popularity and altered the future of Turkish poetry.

Garip was his most famous work, but Kanık created poetry, essays, and translations in a variety of styles until his death in 1950.

Today’s Doodle celebrates the transformative poet, who would have turned 104 today.

Doodle by Cynthia Yuan Cheng

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13.04.2018-2-Friday-வெள்ளி-Early Concept and Draft of the Doodle _ 1 _ by Cynthia Yuan Cheng-Orhan Veli Kanık’s 104th Birthday-JPEG

13.04.2018-3-Friday-வெள்ளி-Early Concept and Draft of the Doodle _ 2 _ by Cynthia Yuan Cheng-Orhan Veli Kanık’s 104th Birthday-JPEG

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Lantern Festival 2018

The Lantern Festival marks the first full moon of the new lunar year and the close of the Chinese New Year.
In a ritual dating back thousands of years to the Han dynasty, traditional lanterns as depicted in today’s Doodle are released into the night sky bearing messages of prosperity, unity, and love. Lanterns are often red, the color of good fortune. Some might even contain riddles, which may win the fortunate ones a small prize — a favorite pastime of little children over generations.
In observance of the festival, families feast on tangyuan (small rice balls filled with sweet red bean paste, fruit and nuts) that are thought to bring happiness and good luck in the new year. The round shape of the tangyuan symbolizes unity and togetherness.
Celebrations around the world include lion and dragon dances, stilt-walking, parades, and fireworks. Modern and traditional worlds combine as electric and neon lanterns float beside their paper or wooden counterparts, creating yet another beautiful memory of a lamp-lit sky for the year ahead. 

Early drafts of the Doodle by Cynthia Yuan Cheng.

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02.03.2018-Friday-வெள்ளி-2-Early Draft of the Doodle-1, by Cynthia Yuan Cheng-Lantern Festival 2018-JPEG

02.03.2018-Friday-வெள்ளி-3-Early Draft of the Doodle-2, by Cynthia Yuan Cheng-Lantern Festival 2018-JPEG

02.03.2018-Friday-வெள்ளி-4-Early Draft of the Doodle-3, by Cynthia Yuan Cheng-Lantern Festival 2018-JPEG

02.03.2018-Friday-வெள்ளி-5-Early Draft of the Doodle-4, by Cynthia Yuan Cheng-Lantern Festival 2018-JPEG

Zhou Youguang’s 112th Birthday

The O’s in today’s Doodle flip from Pinyin (Gǔgē) to Chinese characters (谷歌). Were it not for celebrated linguist Zhou Youguang, this phonetic translation would never have come to life, and the world would still be referring to ‘Beijing’ as ‘Peking,’ and to ‘Chongqing’ as ‘Chungking.’

Popularly dubbed ‘the Father of Pinyin,’ Youguang spent three years developing the system of ‘spelled sounds’ that is now the international standard for Romanized Chinese. The new system transformed China’s literacy rate, providing more natural passage into the written language, which requires mastering thousands of characters. It bridged multiple Chinese dialects with its shared designations of sound. Today, schoolchildren learn Pinyin before characters, and it is often used to input characters on smartphones and computers.

Pursuing his love of language throughout his life, Youguang authored more than 40 books and translated the Encyclopedia Britannica into Chinese. Born on this day as Zhou Yaoping, this storied linguist later adopted the pen name ‘Yougang’ because he wanted to ‘bring light’ to the world. Today, we celebrate what would’ve been Yougang’s 112th birthday with a special place in the spotlight.

Doodle by Cynthia Yuan Cheng

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13.01.2018-Saturday-சனி-Early Draft of the Doodle _ 1 _ by Cynthia Yuan Cheng-Zhou Youguang’s 112th Birthday-JPEG

13.01.2018-Saturday-சனி-Early Draft of the Doodle _ 2 _ by Cynthia Yuan Cheng-Zhou Youguang’s 112th Birthday-JPEG

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