International Studies Mother Language Day 2023
Last Tuesday, the 21st of February, International Studies hosted International Mother Language Day with the Embassy of Bangladesh.
A mixed audience of staff, students and private and public officials were present to share their language and harp on the importance of linguistic diversity. Our chair Isabelle Duyvesteyn gave the official welcome and kicked off the event, and we also had one of our own tutors, Hannah de Mulder, sharing her remarks on her recently launched project “A Story in a Different Language”. Her project focused on the importance of fostering multilingualism from a young age, and how parents reading to their kids can be a great tool to achieve this.
Throughout the event, several students and embassy staff gave small performances by reciting poems and singing songs in their native languages. We also had the pleasure of listening to the remarks of the Bangladeshi Ambassador on the importance of valuing all languages for their unique qualities.
In addition, we welcomed the winners for the language poster competition, who received their awards from the embassy.
Special thanks goes out to all participants and speakers!
Music/Poems:
- Gandhi Cultural Centre
- Boris Dreve
- Mirek Bui
- Zeynep Kurban
- Sofia Debernardi
- Ahmed Al-Yousefi
- Boris Dreve
- Camilla Winterhager
- Alice Zanoli
- Sofie Ticzon
Speakers:
- Isabelle Duyvesteyn – Chair International Studies
- H.E.M. Riaz Hamidullah – Ambassador of Bangladesh
- Kathleen Ferrier – UNESCO Chair
- Hannah de Mulder – Professor International Studies
- H.E Dewi van de Weerd – Ambassador for Culture & Development, MFA
- Hon. Rabin S. Baldewsingh – National Coordinator against Discrimination and Racism, NL
- H.E. Goergio Novello – Ambassador of Italy
- Kris van de Poel – Secretary General, Taalunie NL
Poster competition winners:
- Sumaira Ahmed
- Anastasia Hobol
- Laura Arias Mora
- Lua Viera
- Esther van Bronkhorst
- Michelle Yan
- Mehdi Jalilisohi