International Mother Language Day 2026
Svitac (Firefly in Bosnia) has held a workshop with a group of young people to mark International Mother Language Day, a global observance established by UNESCO to promote linguistic and cultural diversity. The session focused on the importance of preserving mother tongues and understanding the historical development of language in the region.
During the discussion, participants explored the richness of Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian, reflecting on how language connects identity, tradition, and community. They shared thoughts about the coexistence of the Latin and Cyrillic scripts and how both alphabets represent an important part of cultural heritage.
As a creative activity, the group designed a poster featuring archaic words and phrases in Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian, written in both Latin and Cyrillic scripts. The poster highlighted forgotten or rarely used expressions, encouraging others to appreciate the depth and history of their mother language. The workshop concluded with a conversation about why protecting linguistic diversity remains essential in today’s globalized world.
