For the 5^th consecutive year, Manchester (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), a UNESCO Creative City of Literature since 2017, is celebrating International Mother Language Day – observed globally on 21 February since its adoption by UNESCO in 2000. This year, Manchester is in collaboration with Dunedin (New Zealand), Exeter (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) and Kuhmo (Finland), three other Creative Cities of Literature, to showcase and promote the importance of linguistic diversity.

Over the course of three weeks, from 17 February to 8 March 2022, 31 separate events are planned, involving a broad range of libraries, cultural venues, community groups, universities, schools, poets and writers. For the 2022 celebration, Manchester has established international links with fellow Creative Cities of Literature, particularly through online platforms. Targeting a wider and global audience, these digital events include, among others, online film screenings and activities celebrating each city’s local linguistic heritage. By this means, Manchester aims to celebrate, together with fellow cities, mother languages both locally and globally.

This initiative reaffirms Manchester’s commitment to celebrating and protecting linguistic diversity, through promoting active international cooperation amongst members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, all have identified cultural diversity as a strategic driver and priority for sustainable urban development.

For more information about the events, please check the following link:

https://www.manchestercityofliterature.com/event/international-mother-language-day-2022/