International Mother Language Day to be marked in Azerbaijan

To mark the Day the UN Department of Public Information (UN DPI) Office in Azerbaijan and National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO in cooperation with the International School of Azerbaijan (TISA) will participate in joint celebrations with educators and students of several international and public secondary schools on 23 February 2010 at TISA, as was reported by the United Nations Department of Public Information in Azerbaijan.

The celebrations will be focused on raising awareness of the importance of linguistic diversity and multilingualism and promotion of respect to cultural and linguistic diversity among the youngsters.  

The history of the International Mother Language dates back to 21 February 1952, when four students were killed because they fought to formally bring into play their mother language, Bengali, in Bangladesh.  Its ceremonial was also officially known by the United Nations General Assembly in its declaration establishing 2008 as the International Year of Languages.

Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. All moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue

The current eleventh International Mother Language Day will be celebrated in the framework of 2010, International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures.

Today.Az