FUEN celebrates the European Day of Languages

On 26 September each year, the European Day of Language is enjoyed by thousand of people across Europe and by schools, governmental institutions and NGOs in all countries of Europe. 

It is an annual day of celebration that was initiated in 2001, during the European Year of Languages. Its aim is to alert the public to the importance of languages and increase intercultural understanding, to promote the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of Europe and to encourage lifelong language learning in and out of school. 

Europe is a continent of diversity – of linguistic diversity. Regional and minority languages are also part of diversity, but they are often disregarded. Several of these smaller and smallest languages are severely endangered.

FUEN uses the European Day of Languages as an opportunity to cherish the minority languages of Europe and the people that speak these languages. It is important that people keep their own languages alive with confidence, with heart and soul. The regional and minority languages, as has to be stressed over and again, are contributing to the rich and unique linguistic diversity in Europe. It is a common European obligation to support and to defend the minority and regional languages.

Each language has the right to exist. Every person has the right to speak his or her language(s), to learn and to develop them. 

It is never too late! This is the slogan of the project “Language diversity”, which was initiated by FUEN. On the project website information and promotion materials are available in more than 40 different languages. Furthermore the project developed a map showing the minority languages and minorities of Europe.

Map of the European minorities and regional or minority languages

European Day of Languages websites
Council of Europe
European Union