For this year’s International Mother Language Day, the UN Information Centre, (UNIC) in Tokyo was invited to two events at The University of Electro-Cmmunications (UED), and Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) respectively.

At UED, several activities were organized including a Mini-UN discussing themes about languages, fashion shows by international students wearing ethnic costumes, speeches conducted in mother tongues, and a lecture about the origins of languages. There were also different country booths set up by international and Japanese students, where students enjoyed learning languages and cultures. A unique international exchange took place.

At TUFS, after the address by the Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan and the President of TUFS, UNIC Tokyo’s representative read out UNESCO’s message for the Day and encouraged the university students to enhance their understanding of other cultures through learning languages.

Afterwards, about 100 students participated in an international exchange by reciting 12 language poetries and choruses. The students from different nationalities including Bangladesh, sang songs and showed their traditional dance. Bangla is one of the classes taught at the university which was added to the programme last spring as the 27th language.

On International Museum Day, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in New Delhi’s Director, Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman, inaugurated the opening of an exhibit titled ‘Crafting the Future’, gifted to the National Crafts Museum in New Delhi. The exhibit was conceptualized and created in 2007 by the UNIC, in conjunction with the UN system in India, with the aim of promoting and highlighting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
 
The exhibit is a creative dialogue between the United Nations and various artisans who presented their perspective on the Goals through their craft. It has been on display at UN House for the past five years. It will be displayed at the National Crafts Museum until 31 July 2012, after which it will form part of the Museum’s permanent collection.
 
Ms. Mehra-Kerpelman, said she was delighted that the exhibit had found a place at the Crafts Museum on a day that celebrates “the valuable role that museums play in shaping and enriching our lives.”
 
The exhibit was an attempt to connect with artists, to communicate the essence of the Goals to them, she added. “It reflects hopes and aspirations, and is therefore of enduring value. It reflects the future we want".

“Being surrounded by so many French speakers, I felt like I was walking down the Champs-Élysées or somewhere in southern France,” said Tural Abbasov, the fourth-year student at Azerbaijan Institute of Languages (AIL).  After taking part in celebrations for the UN French Language Day that his university hosted on 20 March, Tural said “this was a surprise spring present to have a fragrance of France for students like me who cannot afford to travel now.” 

This was a continuation of the global celebration of the six Official Languages of the United Nations that was taking place under guidance and encouragement of the staff of the UN Department of Public Information (UN DPI) offices around the world, including UN DPI team in Azerbaijan. The event aimed at raising awareness and respect for the culture and achievements of the French language.

“In addition to being one of the six Official UN Languages, French is one of the two working languages of the UN Secretariat, spoken on all continents, playing an important role in spreading the message of the UN in the world,” said Ms. Envera Selimovic, the UN DPI Representative in Azerbaijan. “I am happy to see so many young and enthusiastic people in the audience today. Learning French will help Azerbaijani youth to open their minds to different cultures and explore more about the world, in general, on the way of becoming the citoyen du monde,” she added.

The celebration was enriched by the lively performances of the students from the University who sang French songs, demonstrating their skills and at the same time expressing how the Language can preserve and develop friendly ties between people and nations.

To represent individuals’ thoughts, culture and heritage through language and to cultivate societal understanding, the UN Office (UNO) in Azerbaijan teamed up with the Integration of Azerbaijani Youth to Europe Organization (AGAT), the Coordination Council of National Communities and Sattar Bahlulzada Central Exhibition Hall, on 21 February, to jointly celebrate International Mother Language Day for the fourth time in Azerbaijan, with a festival.

In keeping with the distinctively inspirational theme of “Unity in Diversity”, the educational and cultural festival was rich with vivid colors, dances, national costumes, as well as traditional foods, songs, and poems laced with vibrant history. It brought together representatives of the Azerbaijani Parliament, heads of diplomatic missions, local authorities, civil society activists, linguists and other prominent personalities representing the Azerbaijani artistic circle and highlighting the value of diversity in languages – both as a means of communication and as an expression of culture and identity in a tolerant society.

“Welcome”, “Xoş gəlmişsiniz”, “Willkommen”, “Добро пожаловать”, “Dobrodošli”  Ms. Envera Selimovic, the UN Department of Public Information (UN DPI) Representative in Azerbaijan, greeted the audience. “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart” she added, echoing the great South African, Nelson Mandela, leader while highlighting the role of language in the culture of nations and in bridging understanding and thus fostering  tolerance.

The Festival was embellished with performances by the Polish, Jewish, Russian, Tatar, Turkish and Greek communities residing in Azerbaijan who introduced their respective language and culture through folk music, presentations, and national dances. The audience was impressed by the ancient history of the Greek language, danced under the rhythms of Turkish musical instruments, sang along to a Russian folk song, waved Polish flags, cheered Jewish dancers, and tasted delicious “Chak-Chak” – a national Tatar sweet.

More than 20 media representatives covered the festival, equally enjoying various performances. Some journalists gave particular attention to the event itself, while others chose to take a broader view exploring the phenomenon of the changing nature of language, and the roles of the UN in general and UNESCO’s responsibilities in particular.

For more on this story, please visit: http://unic.un.org/imucms/baku/11/461/home.aspx