International Mother Language Day
Today is not only a celebration of our Polish language. On International Mother Language Day, we celebrate the whole mosaic of the world’s languages – from those that resound in big cities to those that echo in small communities. Each language, each dialect is a story of people, their history and their culture.
21 February is no accidental date. It is the day when we remember the brave students of Dhaka who in 1952 gave their lives in the fight for the recognition of the Bengali language, becoming symbols of the struggle for linguistic diversity and justice. Their sacrifice reminds us that language is more than a means of communication – it is the foundation of our identity.
These dramatic events in Dhaka, when the Pakistani government tried to impose Urdu as the only official language, ignoring the millions of Bengali speakers, are a reminder of the importance of respecting every language. The protests that poured through the streets of the city, right down to the tragic loss of life, became a watershed moment that eventually led to the recognition of the Bengali language.
As you browse our bookshelves, discover stories written in different languages of the world. Let this day be a reminder of the richness that each language carries and the importance of preserving it for future generations.
The portrait of Nicolaus Rej is taken from the publication 1186182 II , Apocalypsis: to iest Dziwna spráwá skrytych táiemnic Páńskich, ktore Jana świętemu, gdy był wygnánie prze wyznánie wiáry świętey ná wyspa kthory zwana Patmos, przez widzenia y przez Anyoły rozlicznie zwástowáne były, Paryż 1876
