The European Day of Languages on 26 September is, this year, celebrated under the motto of “Languages for peace” – highlighting how linguistic diversity and language education can play a key role in promoting a culture of peace, living together and democracy.
This theme has been taken up by many of the hundreds of events organised across the countries of Europe and beyond to mark the Day, such as the activities: Language of doves (Slovak Republic), Lenguas para la paz (Spain), Passeport pour la paix (Romania), Un mur pour la paix (France) and Sguardi e parole di Pace (Italy).
The Council of Europe offices are involved in the coordination of several language festivals, among them in Graz (Austria), where the European Centre for Modern Languages celebrates its 30th anniversary, in Belgrade (Serbia) along with cultural institutes and the European Commission and as far afield as Tunis (Tunisia) where a varied programme of language-inspired activities is foreseen. The European Commission, a long-standing partner of the Council of Europe, is also involved in the organisation of over 70 events around the Day this year.
With Lithuania currently holding the presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, stated on the occasion of the European Day of Languages, that, “Linguistic diversity, from which a remarkable cultural diversity springs, is the foundation of today's Europe. We are unique because we pay attention to each language, to its preservation, to its dissemination in the public sphere. Respect for all languages, even the smallest ones, ensures our communion and keeps alive the project of European unity, as today's events across Europe show.” He also described the European Day of Languages as "...a celebration of democracy, freedom and solidarity. By understanding each other better, we are better able to find common solutions and to build a common future in which everyone matters, because everyone enriches the Europe of our birth. Let us cherish this gift of linguistic and cultural diversity, not only by cherishing our mother tongue but also by learning other languages!" (see the full statement here).
A huge choice of resources is on offer on the dedicated EDL website to help celebrate the Day. Among the new ones are: ‘20 ideas for this year's European Day of Languages’, a brochure for young people providing an insight into some of Europe's regional and minority languages, a series of posters with interesting language trivia, a guide for pronouncing Irish names, a ‘secret agent’s’ language challenges app; a language-inspired board game called “Linguine” and well as a host of initiatives and competitions.