International Mother Language Day at VMU

Vytautas Magnus University Celebrates Linguistic Diversity with Hybrid Trans-Alliance Event for International Mother Language Day

Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) warmly invites the Transform4Europe Alliance community and beyond to participate in a celebration of cultural and linguistic diversity, marking the UN-declared International Mother Language Day on 20-21 February. Under the theme ‘My tongue is my uniqueness: dare not to disappear,’ VMU will host a series of engaging events both online and on-site, culminating in a unique hybrid trans-alliance event designed for seamless participation from partner universities across Europe.

Recognizing the diverse commitments of our Alliance partners, VMU is especially pleased to offer a dedicated hybrid trans-alliance event on 21 February at 10:00 AM (EET). This interactive session, accessible both in person and online via Teams (Teams platform of the event), will feature a lively guided game where all VMU students showcase their native languages through monologues, conversations, or short performances. Participants from across the Transform4Europe Alliance are invited to join in the fun, testing their linguistic knowledge by identifying the languages presented using Kahoot!

Exciting prizes await the winners, and all participants are guaranteed an enriching and enjoyable experience celebrating our collective multilingualism.

This special hybrid event is a core component of a broader two-day program, thoughtfully curated to highlight the richness of linguistic expression within our Alliance.

The program will begin with events dedicated to the Ukrainian language and its varieties, highlighting the fundamental role of language in shaping national identity, resilience, and unity. After an interactive networking session, the Light of Hearts Flashmob will be held, dedicated to the anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine: using flashlights, participants will form symbolic images representing Ukraine. This year’s goal is to recreate the Dove of Peace and the unique Ukrainian letter “Ї”. Afterwards, the Ukrainian Music Session will invite attendees to sing along to the most beloved Ukrainian songs, and Open Mic will provide a chance for everyone to perform or share personal stories.   

On 21 February, language classes delivered at VMU Institute of Foreign Languages will be devoted to regional or social language variations, such as those of German-speaking countries, as well as translanguaging and other topics. On the occasion of International Mother Language Day, VMU lecturers will be encouraged to take the opportunity to speak in their native variety during all of the subject lectures of the day. 

The program will culminate on the evening of 21 February with a vibrant concert and open mic at VMU Theatre, showcasing musical performances and offering an open platform for talents in diverse languages.

Only together can we increase our awareness of the beauty and richness of our linguistic plurality and make sure that it never disappears!