Multilingualism celebrated on 25th anniversary of European Day of Languages

 ROME - On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the European Day of Languages, celebrated annually on Sept. 26, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, issued a statement highlighting the continent’s linguistic richness and reaffirming the importance of language learning as a tool for democracy, inclusion, and mutual understanding.

 

 “Europe’s multilingual heritage is one of our greatest assets,” Berset declared. “Promoting and protecting this diversity is not a cultural luxury, but a political necessity. It is how the European ideal comes to life, reinforcing the pluralistic and inclusive values at the heart of our shared project.”

 

 The European Day of Languages was established in 2001 following the European Year of Languages, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Since then, 26 September has become a yearly celebration of all languages—large and small, spoken and signed, regional and migrant—emphasizing their role in education, society, and personal development.

 

 Among the key instruments cited by Berset is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), along with its Companion Volume, which have transformed language education worldwide. These tools reflect the Council of Europe’s approach: language education rooted in democratic values, open to diversity, and oriented toward active citizenship.

 

 To mark this anniversary, the Council of Europe will launch a Motivation Manifesto, developed with the support of the European Commission, to spotlight the crucial role of motivation in successful language learning. “Motivation is one of the most reliable predictors of learner achievement,” Berset noted. “Fostering it is essential for engagement and educational success.”

 

 In Italy, initiatives such as the “Italian Language and Culture in the World” program promote the teaching of Italian abroad, strengthening the link between language, identity, and cultural diplomacy. In Finland, for instance, the official recognition and teaching of Sámi languages in northern schools stand as a model of linguistic protection and minority empowerment.

 

 The Council of Europe thus renews its commitment to working with member states to bring the benefits of linguistic diversity closer to European citizens. Language education, Berset concluded, contributes meaningfully to the New Democratic Pact by enhancing social cohesion and democratic citizenship.

 

 “This anniversary is not only a celebration,” he said, “but a call to action: to support motivated, empowered learners ready to contribute to an open, democratic, and multilingual Europe.”

 

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