The whole Europe celebrates 26th of September, European Day of Languages. This is the third annual celebration in Georgia. European Day of Languages was proclaimed by the Council of Europe in 2001 in order to celebrate cultural diversity in Europe. This day is celebrated on 26 September and it aims to in involve millions of people across 47 participating countries to learn more languages at any age, at school or anywhere else. Linguistic diversity is one of the most important components of rich European cultural inheritance and intercultural characteristics, thus, European Council supports the popularization of Plurilingualism in the whole Europe.
The event officially was opened by:
- The Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Tamar Sanikidze.
- The Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Issues Davit Bakradze.
- Deputy minister in foreign affairs Khatuna Totladze
- Deputy EU Ambassador to Georgia Carlo Natale
- The president of EUNIC in Georgia Jean Iv Lavoir
The program dedicated to this day included competitions, workshops and many other entertainment and educational activities which lasted the whole day and participants of the event were 8-18 age group individuals. At the end of the day, winner pupils were awarded. The first four place holders Nini Lomidze, Mariam Kiknadze, Zurab Kalandia and Tamta Nadiraia awarded the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia Lia Gigauri with computers. Language course vouchers were given to another four participants of the competition.
The activities carried out by the ministry concerning the European Day of Languges
The promotion of Georgian language abroad reached remarkably extent forms. Within the framework of the project, ‘Teaching Georgian as a Foreign Language Program’, a wide range of materials were created, specifically, bilingual illustrated brochure ‘Georgian Language’ interpreted in five languages (Georgian English, Georgian-German, Georgian-French, Georgian-Spanish, Georgian-Russian), posters: Georgian alphabet and learn Georgian language, bookmark, musical video clip ‘Georgian Alphabet’. The materials mentioned above, were gifted to The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which sent them to Embassies of Georgia in different countries. The embassies presented Georgian language corners and these materials were given to people studying or interested in Georgian language and culture. On 26 September, Georgian language will be presented in the events held in European countries for the first time. The above materials can be seen on the Georgian (as a foreign language) website. www. geofl.ge
European center of modern languages www.ecml.at has a website dedicated especially for European day of Languages. The website is available in different languages. It is very important that Georgian version of the webpage has been created with Georgian banner and player. And this year, Georgian language became one of the members of the website of European Day of Languages