European Day of Languages

Every year, 26 September is the day we celebrate Europe’s rich linguistic heritage – the EU’s 23 official languages, the 60 or so regional/minority languages, and the languages spoken by people who’ve come to Europe from other parts of the world.

The first European day of languages was held in 2001 as part of European Year of languages when hundreds of events were organised, reaching millions of people in 45 countries. Organised jointly by the EU and the Council of Europe, the European day of languages continues that work, to raise public awareness of the languages used in Europe, to promote cultural and linguistic diversity and to encourage people – schoolchildren and adults – to learn languages.

Multilingual sounds of celebration

Besides the official aims, 26 September should also be about having some fun together. Every year throughout Europe, events are organised to celebrate languages: shows, kids’ activities, music games, language courses, radio and TV programmes, conferences… The possibilities are endless.

JOINT COUNCIL OF EUROPE/EUROPEAN COMMISSION DECLARATION TO MARK THE 10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES 26 SEPTEMBER 2011 pdf - 438 KB [438 KB]

Highlights from September 2012

Consult all events [118 KB] across Europe.
Romania: European Language Label, LinguaFest

Highlights from September 2011

Consult all events across Europe in English .
Bucharest

Highlights from September 2010

Warsaw

Highlights from September 2009

Brussels Report on the festivities [5 MB] and a conference on multilingualism in the media
European Panorama [2 MB]

We would like to know what you did to mark European language day. Please contact us if you have any articles, photos, or films you’d like to share about events in your country.

More information

Council of Europe's website Celebrate the European Day of Languages with us!
European Year of Languages