European Day of Languages celebrates linguistic diversity

The European Day of Languages is being observed to promote linguistic and cultural diversity across the continent. The initiative, which has been celebrated annually since 2001, highlights the coexistence of 24 official EU languages and over 60 regional or minority languages.

In Sofia, Bulgaria, the Institute for Bulgarian Language “Prof. Lyubomir Andreychin” organized a Language Fair at the City Garden. The event featured over 20 stalls with language games, quizzes, and presentations of European traditions, foods, and customs to encourage intercultural understanding.

The European Commission emphasizes that multilingualism serves as a driver for personal development and professional opportunities, supporting the theme “Languages unite” to foster social cohesion and inclusion. Educational data shows significant trends in language learning; for instance, in Bulgaria, 92.3% of lower secondary students study English, while in Finland and Greece, the majority of students study two or more foreign languages.