ChiNamibia in collaboration with the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) will be hosting the International Mother Language Day (IMLD) this Saturday at the FNCC.
The celebration themed Inclusion in and through education: Language counts, aims to promote the awareness of language and cultural diversity as well as remind young people of the importance of mother tongue. “We want cultural aspects for our children; we want them to know who they are and where they come from not forgetting their mother languages. We therefore hope this celebration serve as a reminder to both children and their parents,” says the Vice Chairperson and Co-founder of ChiNamibia, Josephat Tjiho.
International Mother Language Day is celebrated every year on February 21. The main purpose of celebrating this day is to promote the awareness of language and cultural diversity all across the world. It was first announced by the United Nations Education and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) on November 17, 1999. Since then it has been celebrated every year. IMLD is celebrated in memory of the four students who were killed while fighting for their mother language in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Languages are the most powerful way to preserve and develop culture and to promote it all across the world. Because of this unfortunate incident, IMLD in all over the world.
Some of the activities lined up for the day include cultural dances and a show where a group of Namibian and French children (between 10 and 15 years) will present songs, music, dance and poetry in 13 different languages. “Everyone is invited to this celebration; there is so much to learn from, especially the importance of culture,” Tjiho says. The event will start at ten O’clock in the morning (10H00) at the FNCC Cinema and entrance is free.