What is the European Day of Languages?

Every year, on September 26, this day brings members of the European Union together to celebrate the European Day of Languages (EDL). The EDL is an opportunity to honor the cultural heritage and languages of European Union member states. 

Initially celebrated in 2001 during the European Year of Languages, the EDL began as a small event. At the end of the campaign, The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers made the EDL an annual event, to be celebrated each year on September 26. Since then, every year, on the same date, millions of people in the European Union members’ states and around the world would organise activities to promote linguistic diversity and the ability to speak other languages.

On the European Day of languages, we hope to draw attention to the linguistic and cultural diversity of European Union members’ states, while broadening the varieties of languages that people learn throughout their lives in order to develop their plurilingual skills and reinforce intercultural understanding.

How do we celebrate the EDL in Hong Kong? Every year, members of consulates of European Union members’ states and institutions gather and participate together in a “Speak Dating” event. 

What is the “Speak Dating”? The “Speak Dating” features more than 10 language booths where the public can enjoy a variety of language experiences in the same space. In each booth, participants get to learn 2 to 3 phrases for 5 minutes, get a stamp on their “European Language Passport”, and then move on to the next language booth.

It is an easy and fun way to have a taste of different European languages all in one day! Participants can also gather more information about the cultural and linguistic diversity of Europe.

If you came to meet us at the French language booth during the “Speak Dating”, you might have noticed that not only the French flag of France was displayed, but also the flag of Belgium!

France is not the only country where French is the official language. 29 countries, including, Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, the Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, France, Haiti, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Monaco, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Switzerland, Togo and Vanuatu , also consider French as their official language. Together these countries form the “Francophone community”. 

This growing community led to the establishment of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) in 2005, which aims to promote the French language and cooperation between the 88 Member States and Governments. 

Every March, the Francophonie Festival brings a series of events celebrating cultures of the Francophone community from around the world to Hong Kong. If you are interested in immersing yourself in French culture, stay tuned for more updates from us!