University of Findlay will host International Mother Language Day

The University of Findlay will host International Mother Language Day on Feb. 26, 2026. The event is free and open to the public and will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the atrium of the Center for Student Life and College of Business Building.

“The event showcases the rich linguistic and cultural heritage on our campus and in the community,” said Hiroaki Kawamura, Ph.D., associate professor of Japanese at the University of Findlay. “UF students and Findlay community residents will present prayers, songs, poems, and dances representing a wide range of languages and traditions. Preserving multilingualism and multiculturalism takes effort, but with a welcoming community, people are more likely to celebrate their languages and cultures.”

International Mother Language Day was established in 1999 by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) to recognize and celebrate the world’s linguistic and cultural diversity and to emphasize the importance of multilingualism for sustainable development. Observed globally each year in February, the initiative promotes the preservation and protection of all languages spoken throughout the world.

The event started in 2019, and this is the 8^th year of celebration.

For more information about the University of Findlay event, contact Hiroaki Kawamura, Ph.D., at kawamura@findlay.edu.