Press Release: Languages open doors: Celebrating the European Day of Languages

The European Day of Languages, originally a joint European Commission/Council of Europe initiative following the European Year of Languages in 2001, is held annually on 26 September to celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity. The objectives of the European Day of Languages are threefold: to alert the public to the importance of language learning; to increase awareness and appreciation of all languages and to encourage lifelong language learning. This year, the European Commission is underlining its specific commitment to multilingualism by organising a series of events in celebration of the European Day of Languages in and around the Berlaymont and Charlemagne buildings, including two seminars with experts in multilingualism. Also, events are being organised in the Member States via the European Commission network of Field Offices for multilingualism.