The Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR) is marking the European Day of Languages with a series of events taking place from 24 September to 15 October in 13 cities around the world: Bucharest, Beijing, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Prague, Tokyo, Warsaw, New York, Stockholm, Tel Aviv, Athens and Belgrade.

Organised within EUNIC clusters in partnership with European institutions, the events will showcase the Romanian language and culture alongside Europe's linguistic and cultural diversity, ICR said in a press release sent to AGERPRES on Monday.

Romanian-language courses, speak-dating sessions, events centred on books and literature, children's workshops, music, dance, games and gastronomy are among the activities aimed at the general public as well as pupils and students.

The series begins in London on 24 September, where EUNIC London, together with European cultural institutes, the Delegation of the European Union to the United Kingdom and the European Parliament Liaison Office, will host a day devoted to European languages and cultures at St John's Smith Square. At the Romanian stand, visitors will be able to discover resources for learning Romanian and take part in conversations and interactive activities.

In Bucharest, LinguaFest - European Day of Languages will take place on 25 September at the National Foundation for Youth, organised by the European Commission Representation in Romania in partnership with the National Erasmus+ Agency and members of EUNIC Romania. The programme includes a round table on the importance of learning foreign languages, interactive workshops, cultural institute stands and a Language Treasure Hunt.

ICR will be present at LinguaFest 2026 with a stand dedicated to Romanian language and culture, where visitors can learn about Romanian-language courses for foreigners and explore language games and educational materials.

Madrid will mark the European Day of Languages on 25 September under the motto 'Languages Unite', with a programme hosted by the Goethe-Institut and organised by EUNIC Madrid and the European Commission Representation. Romanian will feature in introductory lessons given by Ana Borca, while Clara Cernat will lead children's workshops inspired by the volume Cartea Vivaldi si Vioara Anotimpurilor. Cernat and Thierry Huillet will also perform in the closing concert, 'Vioara celor patru anotimpuri'.

Also on 25 September, more than 25 cultural institutes, embassies and EUNIC Czech Republic partner organisations will gather at the European Commission Representation in Prague for introductory language courses, games, competitions and interactive activities. The Romanian programme will include beginner lessons, conversations with native speakers and quizzes about Romania, as well as information about courses organised by ICR Prague in cooperation with Charles University.

In Beijing on 26 September, 'Reading Europe: Books and Publications from the European Union', hosted by the Italian Cultural Institute, will bring together European cultural institutes, embassies and organisations to celebrate Europe's literary and publishing diversity. ICR Beijing will showcase contemporary Romanian literature, books on heritage, traditions, gastronomy and culture, children's books and Chinese translations, including works by Mircea Cartarescu, Lucian Blaga, Gabriel Chifu, Bogdan Suceava and Octavian Saiu.

Lisbon will celebrate the European Day of Languages at Palacio Galveias, home to the city's Metropolitan Library, with a multicultural programme that this year also marks the 20th anniversary of EUNIC Portugal. Romania's contribution on 26 September will include speak-dating sessions led by Rodica Adriana Covaci, traditional food and a raffle offering Romanian-language courses, books and albums as prizes.

In Athens, the 14th European Day of Languages will take place on 26 September in Pedion tou Areos Park, combining linguistic diversity with a focus on open spaces and inclusive playgrounds. The Romanian stand will feature bilingual Romanian-Greek books, cultural and tourism materials, traditional costumes and information on opportunities to study Romanian in Athens.

In Belgrade, the Romanian Embassy in Serbia will organise a stand on 26 September featuring promotional materials and traditional products, alongside activities promoting the Romanian language in local communities, including Romanian-language sessions for primary school pupils.

On 27 September, EU Languages Day will take European languages onto the streets of Tokyo's Hiroo district in Minato City. The festival, organised by the EU Delegation to Japan, EUNIC Tokyo and EU member-state embassies, will feature national stands, courses, quizzes and cultural presentations. At the Romanian stand, Cornelia Kasahara will present 'Doina and the Doina Tradition in Romania', while Alexandru Yuuki Anahara will give a Romanian-language lesson.

In Poland, this year's 'Languages Unite' project, organised by EUNIC Warsaw and the European Commission Representation on 29-30 September, will bring Romanian closer to pupils and university students. Demonstration lessons will be held for pupils in Warsaw on 29 September, followed on 30 September by a presentation for University of Lodz students aimed at encouraging enrolment in Romanian-language courses.

In New York on 1 October, the European Day of Languages will focus on the role of multilingualism in education and society. EUNIC New York's flagship event, organised by Goethe-Institut New York and Villa Albertine under the theme 'Multilingualism as a Public Good - Pathways from Schools to Civic and Workforce Readiness', will bring together education authorities, European cultural institutions, educators and school communities. ICR New York will present its Romanian-language promotion and teaching programmes.

Stockholm will host an event at Finlandshuset / the Finnish Institute on 1 October under the slogan 'Languages unite!', primarily aimed at young people aged 13 to 19. Romania and the Republic of Moldova will share a stand presenting the Romanian language through courses and interactive activities, while ICR Stockholm will promote its Romanian-language courses in the Swedish capital.

The series will conclude on 15 October at the Beit Ariela Public Library and Cultural Centre in Tel Aviv, where EUNIC Israel and the EU Delegation to Israel will bring together European cultural institutes and centres for an event celebrating linguistic diversity. Otilia Hornstein will lead Romanian speak-dating sessions and give a lecture entitled 'Romanian Words That Tell Stories', while visitors will also be able to learn about ICR Tel Aviv's Romanian-language courses and programmes. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Georgiana Tanasescu; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)