On 26 September, Europe celebrates the 26th edition of the European Day of Languages (EDL), an initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Commission that promotes linguistic diversity, multilingualism and intercultural understanding. This year’s motto, “Languages unite!”, highlights the unique role that languages play in bringing people together and building bridges across cultures.

Thousands of events are taking place in schools, cultural institutions and communities across Europe and beyond. As 26 September falls on a Saturday this year, celebrations have expanded into a week-long festival of languages, with activities ranging from language fairs and quizzes to performances, workshops and multilingual challenges. Organisers are once again using the European Day of Languages events calendar to showcase their activities and share ideas with others.

At the heart of the celebrations is the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML) in Graz, marking the Day through a variety of initiatives and the launch of new resources. Among the highlights are the EDL Class Language Challenge, which encourages learners to complete a series of language missions and earn an official certificate, and the “Languages unite!” poster competition, inviting participants to illustrate how languages connect people across linguistic and cultural divides.

The ECML has also developed a range of new educational resources for 2026, including guidance linked to the Call to action on motivation in language teaching and language teacher education, alongside the European Day of Languages activity kit, packed with games, puzzles, posters and classroom activities. Young readers can also explore Italy’s rich linguistic heritage through the latest booklet in the popular series, “Lara’s language journey through Italy.”

Countries across Europe and around the world are marking the European Day of Languages through a rich variety of events that celebrate linguistic diversity, intercultural dialogue and language learning. Highlights include:

• The “Languages connect us” festival, launched on 28 September 2026 at Fettah Tamince Maritime Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in Konyaaltı, Türkiye, with a week-long programme combining languages, cultures, maritime traditions, creativity and active student participation.
• Les Journées des langues juridiques, organised by the University of Montpellier from 21-25 September, featuring multilingual conferences, workshops and language immersion activities focused on legal languages.
• The “What’s changing in Scotland’s languages curriculum?” conference, coordinated by the Institut français in Edinburgh on 22 September, exploring developments in language education in Scotland.
• “Taste the world, speak the language”, organised by SOŠ gastronómie a cestovného ruchu in Nitra, Slovakia, on 25 September, where students from different countries showcase traditional dishes while sharing their languages and cultures.
• “Words and wealth: the dynamic link between language and regional economic growth”, a collaborative event set up by Brussels regional representations on 22 September, examining the social and economic benefits of revitalising minority languages.
• “Une île, différentes langues”, taking place in Guadeloupe on 26 September, where pupil ambassadors from École élémentaire Josette Jerpan will present projects that help young people improve their language skills and connect with peers from across Europe and the Caribbean.
• The “European Day of Languages – Languages for Democracy and Citizenship” conference on 8 October, organized at the Italian Ministry of Education and Merit in Rome, will be livestreamed to schools across the country.
• On 30 September, the European Commission will explore how multilingualism promotes inclusion through debates, a virtual exhibition and interactive language-related stands, including one hosted by the ECML.
• The Graz language festival, held on 25 September, will showcase the city’s linguistic diversity and celebrate 25 years of Graz as a City of Human Rights. The event will be opened by Petra Bayr, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

The Council of Europe offices in Belgrade and Tunis are also contributing to EDL through large-scale events promoting multilingualism, intercultural dialogue and language learning among young people and the wider public.

The initiative extends far beyond Europe, with events taking place on every continent. From New York and Montevideo to Cairo, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo and Sydney, European cultural institutes, EU partners and Embassies are joining forces to celebrate linguistic diversity and encourage language learning. These activities reflect the growing global reach of the European Day of Languages and reinforce its central message: languages bring people together, fostering understanding, dialogue and cooperation across cultures and communities worldwide.

As people across Europe and neighbouring regions come together to celebrate languages, the message of this year’s European Day of Languages is clear: every language matters, every language opens doors, and together, languages unite.

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The dedicated EDL website, which is partially available in 42 languages, provides details of the hundreds of events taking place in celebration of the Day, as well as a wide variety of resources and activities for everyone interested in languages and language learning.