KBRN, Ranai: Since the year 2000, February 21 has been globally celebrated as International Mother Language Day. The purpose of this observance is to continuously advocate for the preservation and protection of all languages used by communities worldwide.

Quoting UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the idea of celebrating International Mother Language Day came from Bangladesh.

The UNESCO officially established it on November 17, 1999, to promote linguistic and cultural diversity, as well as multilingualism.

The day is a tribute to the students who were killed during the Bengali Language Movement in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) on February 21, 1952, when they protested for the recognition of their mother tongue, Bengali, as one of the national languages of Pakistan.

The celebration of International Mother Language Day highlights the importance of preserving and protecting all languages, especially those that are endangered or facing extinction.

It encourages people to appreciate their linguistic heritage and fosters awareness of the cultural and intellectual wealth that languages contribute to humanity.

Different countries and communities mark the occasion with various events, including linguistic festivals, cultural performances, and educational programs aimed at raising awareness about the value of mother languages and the need to safeguard them.

The UNESCO states that cultural and linguistic diversity is crucial for sustainable societies. They continue to strive to preserve cultural and linguistic differences that foster tolerance and mutual respect among people.

The global event commemorating the 25th International Mother Language Day was held at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France on February 20-21, 2025, rri.co.id reported.

During this moment, the UNESCO highlighted dedicated efforts to continue preserving language diversity and promoting the use of mother languages.

This year's theme is "Languages Matter: Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day." The theme underscores the importance of advancing language diversity to build a more inclusive and sustainable world by 2030. ***