International Mother Language Day – 2025 celebrations
Theme: Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day
This year’s International Mother Language Day celebration was held on the 21st of February at the Edinburgh City Chambers. International Mother Language Day is a global observance held annually on the 21st of February. The initiative was first proposed by Bangladesh and adopted by UNESCO in 1999. Since then, it has been celebrated worldwide to raise awareness about the importance of linguistic and cultural diversity.
The year 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day. This milestone highlights a quarter-century of dedicated efforts to preserve linguistic diversity and promote the use of mother tongues. It serves as a significant opportunity to reflect on achievements, renew commitments, and emphasize the critical role of language preservation in safeguarding cultural heritage, improving education outcomes, and creating more peaceful, sustainable societies.
The event involved a series of insightful talks and poetry readings. Speakers included Councillor Pauline Flannery, who opened the event, Mr. Foysol Choudhury MBE MSP (Chair of ELREC), Professor Rob Dunbar (Chair of Celtic Languages, Literature, History, and Antiquities at the University of Edinburgh), Mr. Rajnish Singh (ELREC’s Company Secretary), Savita Purran (a member of ELREC’s esteemed board), and Ms Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk (Chairman of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain). They, alongside others, offered their perspectives on the significance of language preservation and cultural diversity in Scotland.
It also also featured performances that celebrated the richness of cultural heritage in Edinburgh through music and dance. Among the performers were the Folklore Ensemble Lipa and the Scottish Bangladeshi Welfare Association.
The 2025 International Mother Language Day celebration provided a valuable opportunity for individuals from various communities to come together, reaffirming the importance of fostering understanding, respect, and unity through language.
