To the International Mother Language Day: Festive events at the National library of Russia

February 21 marks the International Mother Language Day. It was declared by a General conference UNESCO in November 1999 and is celebrated annually since February 2000 for the cooperation of language and cultural diversity and Multilanguage.

Theme of the Day 2014: "Local languages ​​and global citizenship education: the role of science".

The language is the most powerful tool for the conservation and development of our cultural heritage in its tangible and intangible forms. Any activity to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will not only help linguistic diversity and multilingualism, but also more complete understanding of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world, as well as solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.

February 26, 2014 in the new building of the National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg) will be celebrated the International Mother Language Day.

There will be held tours of the new library building, familiarity with the work of the Department of National Literatures of the NLR, the story of the book collections of the Department.

As part of the meeting it will be held presentations of national-cultural associations of St. Petersburg. They will talk about the history of their native language, its formation and characteristics. Performances will be accompanied with the presentation of folklore (fairy tales, songs, ballads, legends, epics).

As part of the evening it will be also featured workshops on calligraphy and spelling in their native language.

The events will be attended by teachers and students in public educational institutions, institutions of further education, students of St. Petersburg universities, members of the national-cultural associations of St. Petersburg, the city public representatives.