European Day of Languages

Quick Facts

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2023 Date	26 September 2023
2024 Date	26 September 2024

2023 Holidays & Dates

		EU Country Common Holidays
		EU Country National Holidays
		Christian Holidays
		Jewish Holidays

European Day of Languages in 2023

Tuesday, 26 Sep

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The European Day of Languages (EDL) is aimed at promoting linguistic diversity, fostering multilingualism, and encouraging language learning across Europe. This initiative emphasizes the importance of tolerance and mutual understanding among the member states of the European Union, while highlighting Europe's rich and diverse languages. The European Day of Languages aims to address the cultural, intellectual, and economic benefits of learning and speaking multiple languages.

The Council of Europe first introduced the European Day of Languages in 2001 during the European Year of Languages, a joint initiative with the European Union. Its goal was to raise awareness about the vast array of languages spoken throughout Europe, and to emphasize the need for all individuals to be equipped with linguistic skills to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. For the European Union, EDL not only fosters cultural exchange and understanding but also plays a crucial role in enhancing labor mobility and economic growth within the single market.

EDL is observed with a wide range of events and activities focusing on language education and cross-cultural communication, such as workshops, language classes, exhibitions, and online resources. Educational institutions, cultural organizations, and the general public take part in various initiatives to celebrate linguistic diversity and to learn about the value of speaking more than one language. European Day of Languages falls on the 26th of September each year.

Top facts and quotes about European Day of Languages

54% of Europeans are bi-lingual, 25% can speak three languages and 10% can speak at least three.
English is the most widely spoken (38%) foreign language in Europe.
98% of people in Luxembourg can speak more than one language. However the lowest numbers in Europe are found in Ireland, Portugal and the UK, where only 60 and 61%, respectively, of the population can speak a second language.
If you talk to a man in a language that he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his hears. - Nelson Mandela
One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way. ‒Frank Smith