World Portuguese language day

Click here for the Portuguese version

The date of 5 May was officially established in 2009 by the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP) - an intergovernmental organization that has been in official partnership with UNESCO since 2000, and which brings together peoples with the Portuguese language as one of the foundations of their specific identity - to celebrate the Portuguese language and Lusophone cultures. In 2019, the 40th session of UNESCO's General Conference decided to proclaim 5 May of each year as "World Portuguese Language Day".

The Portuguese language is not only one of the most widespread languages in the world, with more than 265 million speakers spread through all continents, but it is also the most widely spoken language in the southern hemisphere. Portuguese remains, today, a major language of international communication and a language with a strong geographical projection, destined to increase.   

MEssage of the secretary general of united nations

“This world day is a fair recognition of the global relevance of the Portuguese Language. I am sure that its future will continue to be enriched by the diversity and solidarity of all its voices.”

— António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations on the occasion of World Portuguese Language Day 2021

MEssage of the assistant director general for culture of  unesco

“A language of encounters. On land and on the ocean.”

— Ernesto Ottone, Assitant Director-General for Culture of UNESCO on the occasion of World Portuguese Language Day 2021

UNESCO invites all to share the video “World Portuguese Language Day - one language, so much to unite”, which was created by the DDB Portugal agency.