Ekushey February – International Mother Language Day

The people in Bangladesh commemorate this day in respect of the language martyrs — the students who died during a protest at the University of Dhaka on February 21, 1952 —by laying down flowers to the Martyr’s Monument also known as Shaheed Minar. UNESCO adopted a resolution on 17th November 1999 declaring 21st February as the World Mother Language Day to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism, it was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, establishing 2008 as the International Year of Languages. Communities organize social gatherings, where they honour their language and culture, and hold literary competitions, draw Alpana on the roads, eat festive meals and listen to event themed songs.