International Mother Language Day, which takes place annually on the 21st of February, aims to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity across the globe. The day has been internationally recognised since 1999, with UNESCO Cities of Literature all over the world using it as a platform to celebrate multilingualism and multiculturalism through a wide variety of activities and events. 

Manchester City of Literature leads the UNESCO Cities of Literature on International Mother Language Day celebrations, and for the first time Manchester welcomes Voiced: The Festival of Endangered Languages to the programme – a partnership which has prompted a collaborative digital exhibition titled No Tongues Left to Chant. 

Hosted by the Manchester City of Literature website, the exhibition is an international collaboration, featuring poems in 16 endangered and vulnerable languages including those by poets from cities from across the global UNESCO Cities of Literature Network. 

Languages featured in the exhibition include: Belarusian, Frisian, Gaelic, Irish, Kaili, Kattunayakan, Ladino, Low German, Makassarese, Mixtec, Scots, Welsh, Yiddish, Zapotec and even two languages that currently have no first-language speakers remaining: Wendat and Lushootseed.

You can view elaborate scripts and songs, illustrations and pictographic language as well as watch videos and hear recordings of some pieces read by the authors. The exhibition also features contributions from The John Rylands Research Institute and Library’s extensive digital collections in Manchester. 

All the works in the exhibition are shared with huge thanks to the authors, translators, curators and Creative Cities to draw attention to how precious languages are to strengthen culture and the protection they need to continue.

Alongside this exhibition, Cities of Literature are marking International Mother Language Day 2026 in their own unique way. Dunedin, New Zealand, have shared ‘Layers of Identity,’ a collection of podcasts showcasing work from 15 young writers and orators from Ōtepoti as they journey through whakapapa, culture and belonging. The podcasts celebrate the power of rangatahi identity and storytelling, and can be listened to online.

Jakarta City of Literature will bring together poets from across Indonesia for a series of online poetry readings shared on their social media from morning to evening on 21st February. Indonesia is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, and the readings will highlight the richness of mother languages from across the archipelago.

Kozhikode City of Literature leads Kerala’s celebrations with a range of events, including an Endangered Languages Forum, public ‘Wall of Words’ mural and Script workshops for children to help them understand the ancient scripts that carved Kerala’s history.

Worldwide there are around 7000 languages in use, and many of these are indigenous. Sadly many languages are falling out of use, reflecting the vulnerable situation of traditional cultures worldwide. In 2022, UNESCO marked a Decade of Indigenous Languages to draw global attention to the critical situation of many indigenous languages.

To find out more about the events mentioned above, and how the Cities of Literature Network is celebrating International Mother Language day this year, visit the Manchester City of Literature International Mother Language Day webpage.