International Mother Tongue Day

Bristol is hosting a celebration next week to mark the United Nations International Mother Tongue Day.

This is an annual event that celebrates language diversity worldwide on February 21. It also remembers events such as the killing of four students on February 21, 1952, because they campaigned to officially use their mother language, Bengali, in Bangladesh.

The event at the Council House on Tuesday at 12pm is being organised by the Bristol Bangladesh Association, attended by the Lord Mayor Geoff Gollop and Council Leader Barbara Janke.

It will include a flag-raising ceremony and a one-minute silence in honour of the 60th anniversary of the Bangladeshi student martyrs.

Council Leader Barbara Janke said: “Bristol is fortunate to have strong international communities which help make this city such a vibrant and welcoming place to live. It is right that we celebrate the rich diversity of languages, in particular for Bristol’s Bangladeshi community where the International Day is a special commemorative day for their nation. In this global age of mass communication, it is important we recognise our linguistic and cultural diversity.”

Cllr Mahmadur Khan who is helping to organise the event said: “I am very pleased that we are marking this important day at the Council House this year. This international day is one of great significance for Bangladesh, but also for all nations and cultures because it celebrates the importance of mother languages. I would urge anyone interested in attending Tuesday’s event to come along and help us celebrate International Mother Tongue Day.”