The UN Representation Office in Belarus has announced a photo competition “Belarusian Language – Reflection of Our Thoughts and Feelings” to celebrate International Mother Language Day.
Submission is open for professional and amateur photos describing the theme of the Belarusian language as an instrument for preserving and developing the cultural legacy in its tangible and intangible forms in the contest of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The contest will run in two stages from 21 February until 6 March. The winners of the competition will be awarded diplomas and special presents from the UN Office in Belarus.
      International Mother Language Day is marked on 21 February. It was first announced by UNESCO in 1999. International Mother Language Day has been observed every year since 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
Mother language maintenance means much for Belarusians living abroad, says head of the national and cultural autonomy “Belarusians of Russia,” Valery Kazakov:
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       I’d like to congratulate everyone on the International Mother Language Day. The Belaruisan community in Russia always celebrates that day. We organize special events, hold concerts. Today it is hard to maintain the native language beyond Belarus. We begin from the beginning, we try to organize additional language courses at schools. This year we are going to hold a fest and invite Belarusian writers and Russian writers who are natives of Belarus.
When I’m asked why I need the Belarusian language, I usually answer: ”First of all, to realize I’m Belarusain, and, secondly, to speak to God”.