The European Day of Languages is marked on Thursday in Chisinau, with interactive and cultural events. According to the organizers, the purpose of the activities is to celebrate linguistic diversity, to promote and encourage language learning. Those interested are invited to workshops, games and raffles staged in bookstores and institutions downtown between 10:00 a.m. and 04:00 p.m. The events were launched at the National Museum of History of Moldova through a news conference organized by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with the European Network of Cultural Institutes (EUNIC) Moldova, IPN reports.
This year, the events in Chisinau are organized in partnership with ten European countries, namely: Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Germany, Spain, Romania, and Switzerland. Interactive activities about the culture and language of each state are carried out, giving visitors the opportunity to get acquainted with various aspects of the European linguistic heritage.
Ten bookstores and institutions in Chisinau will host one country of the European Union, organizing over 20 language workshops. Participants will have chances to win books, informative brochures, electronic reading devices and free foreign languages courses.
Present at the inauguration of the official event, Minister of Culture Sergiu Prodan noted the importance of language learning as an “exercise for all ages” and a guarantee of mental health.
“For us, the Romanian language, which is already part of the European languages celebrated today, is the pillar of our identity; it is the pillar of our heritage; it is our homeland,” said Minister Prodan.
For his part, Romania’s Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova Cristian Leon Țurcanu spoke about the advantage of the common cultural space and the common language between Romania and the Republic of Moldova.
“Through the Romanian language, the Republic of Moldova is already part of Europe,” said the diplomat. He called on the young people, in particular, to discover as many things as possible about other European cultures, specifying that Europe is a space of tolerance and diversity.
Guido Beltrani, director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in the Republic of Moldova, spoke about multilingualism in Switzerland, a state with four languages of communication among the population. He encouraged our citizens to cultivate the linguistic richness of the country, noting that this year’s motto of the European Day of Languages is “Languages for Peace”.
The events dedicated to the European Day of Languages open the second edition of the International Festival of Literature and Translation FILIT Chisinau. Access to FILIT events, including in the reading and dialogue rooms, is free of charge. The European Day of Languages, an initiative of the Council of Europe, is celebrated annually on 26 September.
Also today, during the festival, the Literature Train, which will symbolically unite the two capitals of historical Moldova, sets off from Iasi to Chisinau. The caravan will start at 12 noon in Iasi and will arrive in Chisinau at 04:40 p.m. Authorities from both banks of the Prut, Romanian writers, translators or travelers passionate about literature and not only will get onto the train. Everyone will enjoy, during four hours, recitals, literary debates and a concert by the Adam’s Nest band.
