On the occasion of February 21 – International Mother Language Day, the Ministry for Inter-Community Relations, in cooperation with the Administration for the Development and Advancement of the Education of the Languages of Community Members and the Administration for the Affirmation and Advancement of the Culture of Community Members, organized a special event today dedicated to the promotion and affirmation of linguistic diversity.

As part of the commemoration, certificates of appreciation were awarded to two institutions — the Institute for the Macedonian Language “Krste Misirkov” and the National Institution “Museum of the Albanian Alphabet” — as well as to the teachers Marija Nikolova, Adzer Imetoska, Izeta Babacic, Aida Zukovic, Darija Kovacevic-Bozinovska, Arabela Iljaz, and Zaklina Milinkovic, representatives of ethnic communities who conduct teaching in their mother tongue, in recognition of their contribution to nurturing, preserving, and developing the linguistic and cultural identity of the communities.

At the event, remarks were delivered by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia and Minister for Inter-Community Relations, Mr. Ivan Stoilkovic, as well as by the directors of the two administrations within the Ministry, Mr. Miroslav Trickovic and Mr. Ismail Demirovic. A constructive discussion was also opened on the state of education in the languages of the communities, during which participants addressed ongoing plans and activities, as well as the challenges and issues faced by communities in ensuring quality instruction in their mother tongue, particularly with regard to textbooks in the languages of ethnic communities. Those present exchanged views and proposals aimed at strengthening institutional support and overcoming existing challenges.

“Understanding among us and understanding of others, as well as mutual cooperation, is the foundation, and only in this way can we achieve results and find solutions to all problems,” emphasized the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Inter-Community Relations, Mr. Ivan Stoilkovic, sending a message to the authors of textbooks in the languages of ethnic communities not to be discouraged and to continue their mission for the benefit of future generations.

The event is part of ongoing efforts to support policies that promote equality, non-discrimination, and respect for the right to education in the mother tongue.

International Mother Language Day, established by the United Nations and UNESCO in 1999, aims to promote and protect linguistic diversity and to encourage education in the mother tongue as an important prerequisite for preserving cultural identity and fostering mutual respect and coexistence.