AUK hosts celebration of ‘European Day of Languages’, bridges cultural exchange, promotes diversity

The American University of Kuwait hosted a special celebration of the European Day of Languages, organized by the French Institute in collaboration with the European Union Delegation and the EU member states embassies, with wide participation from diplomats, students, and members of European communities.

The event reflected the EU motto ‘United in Diversity’ and offered Kuwaitis the chance to explore more than 11 European languages through short 30-minute lessons, in addition to tasting traditional dishes and desserts from various European countries.

The EU Ambassador to Kuwait, H.E. Anne Koistinen, said the celebration of the European Day of Languages is a special occasion that embodies the EU identity and values, built on openness and diversity. She noted that the day highlights the EU’s motto ‘United in Diversity’.

The EU envoy said, “I am delighted to be with you today at this event celebrating European languages and affirming cultural diversity, which we consider a source of strength and enrichment.

“The EU,” she added, “is a union of 27 countries, united not only by 24 official languages, but also by diverse cultures, beliefs, and lifestyles. Yet we all share the conviction that together we are stronger, more prosperous, and more peaceful.”

She added the EU takes pride in its global partnerships, including with Kuwait, stressing that cooperation between the two sides is based on shared values and mutual respect.

The Ambassador encouraged the participating students to use the occasion to learn more about Europe and the wide opportunities it offers, particularly in higher education, where European universities provide advanced learning environments and diverse programs that open new horizons for Kuwaiti youth.

She concluded by emphasizing that the celebration embodies the EU’s spirit — 27 countries, 24 official languages — with the aim of bringing people closer through learning new words and opening up to diverse cultures.

Soraya Salwar, Director of the French Institute and Cultural Counselor at the French Embassy, said languages are not just words, but culture, history, and a worldview. She stressed that learning languages enhances creativity, broadens thinking, and builds bridges between people.

“We wanted to give Kuwaitis,” she said, “the opportunity to travel without traveling — by learning new words and discovering different cultures.”

The Ambassador of Cyprus to Kuwait, H.E. Ambassador Andreas Panayiotou explained that his country participated by offering lessons in Greek, alongside a booth featuring traditional sweets prepared by his wife.

He added, the participation of Cyprus highlighted the diversity of its European cultural identity.

Romanian Ambassador H.E. Mugurel Stănescu stressed that the event was an opportunity to showcase the beauty of the Romanian language, with its Latin roots, as well as traditional sweets, affirming that the celebration reflects both EU diversity and unity.

Bulgarian Ambassador H.E. Dimitar Dimitrov noted that Bulgaria is always keen to participate in such events and added that this year’s event was special for its “intensive language lessons” offering participants a quick grasp of Bulgarian basics, along with traditional sweets prepared by the Bulgarian community in Kuwait.

Vera Gebed, Cultural Affairs Officer at the German Embassy, said the mission offered German language lessons at the event, stressing that learning languages is not only practical but also a joyful cultural experience.

Antonio Campos, President of the Portuguese Business Council in Kuwait, said the participation reflected the importance of language as a tool of communication and cooperation, adding that the event was an opportunity to strengthen cultural solidarity.

Greek Ambassador H.E. Ioannis Plotas emphasized that the Greek language is not just a means of communication but also a window into the rich cultural heritage that laid the foundations for European civilization.

Belgian Ambassador H.E. Christian Domes highlighted Belgium’s pride in its linguistic diversity, with three official languages—French, Dutch, and German. He noted that the deputy ambassador’s wife offered a Dutch lesson during the event, stressing that such celebrations spark Kuwaitis’ curiosity and encourage them to discover languages beyond English.

Hungarian Ambassador H.E. András Szabó underlined that the European Day of Languages, marked annually on September 26, is an important occasion to promote linguistic diversity and encourage younger generations to learn new languages across Europe.

He said: “This day reminds us of the power of languages to build bridges between people, foster mutual understanding, and preserve the rich cultural heritage of Europe.”

He added that Hungarian, or Magyar, is the official language of his country and one of the EU’s 24 official languages, spoken by more than 13 million people worldwide — reflecting its unique historical and cultural presence in Europe.

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