Languages are not just words, they are bridges that connect us, help us understand each other, and open doors to new opportunities – this was the message at the celebration of the European Day of Languages in Podgorica. Students of “Sutjeska” Elementary School participated in activities that demonstrated how linguistic and cultural diversity strengthens unity and builds friendships without borders.
The event was organized by the Ministry of European Affairs and the European Union Delegation in Montenegro, with the support of the European House and EU4ME projects and in cooperation with the embassies of EU member states, aiming to promote the richness of the languages and cultures of the European continent.
Special attention was drawn to an interactive memory game through which seventh and eighth grade students learned the basics of the languages of Austria, Romania, Italy, Greece, Slovakia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, France, Slovenia, and Poland, directly communicating with representatives of the embassies of those countries.
State Secretary at the Ministry of European Affairs, Biljana Papović, reminded that the European Day of Languages is an opportunity to celebrate the wealth of different languages and cultures of our continent and noted that more than 200 languages are spoken in Europe. She advised students to learn languages because this allows them to one day take advantage of numerous programs offered by EU member states and many other countries to continue their education abroad. She reminded that they will be citizens of the European Union.
“On behalf of the Ministry of European Affairs, I can proudly say that Montenegro is today closer than ever to becoming the next member of the European Union. There is a real opportunity and an outstretched hand to our country – with strong support from Brussels and all EU member states. We are aware that great challenges and complex reforms lie ahead, but I assure you that our administration is working at full capacity to achieve this goal. I believe that our language will soon join the great family of European languages, thus contributing to the richness of the common European house,” said Papović.
Opening the event, Ricardo Seri, Deputy Ambassador of the EU, said that Europe consists of many countries, cultures, and languages, and that this diversity makes our Union strong, creative, and united.
“Languages are more than just words – they are bridges. They help us communicate, understand each other, and connect across borders. Every language you learn opens new doors to a culture, a way of thinking, and new opportunities,” said Seri.
The European Day of Languages is an initiative launched by the Council of Europe in 2001 in cooperation with the European Commission. Since then, it has been celebrated every year on 26 September across Europe. The main message of this day is that knowledge of languages is a right and a necessity for every person. The goal is to raise awareness of the importance of learning languages, promote multilingualism, and strengthen intercultural dialogue among people and nations.