Riyadh – Asdaf News:
The European Union Delegation to Saudi Arabia successfully hosted the fifth edition of the European Night of Languages, a celebration of the continent’s linguistic and cultural diversity. In partnership with the Language Exchange Club, EU Member State Embassies and cultural institutes, the vibrant public event drew a crowd of over 250 Saudi language enthusiasts, underscoring the strong local appetite for linguistic and cultural exchange.
The event served as a platform to demonstrate how languages bring people closer together, strengthening people to people exchanges and facilitating greater understanding among cultures. Members of the Saudi society immersed into Europe’s linguistic and cultural richness by practicing their language skills with European diplomats and professional language teachers while enjoying European music with live performances.
The interactive evening served as a dynamic platform for engagement, providing attendees with unique opportunities to converse and learn basic phrases across 16 languages—including Bulgarian, Danish, Czech, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Swedish and Ukrainian as well as Arabic.
H.E. Christophe Farnaud, the EU Ambassador to the KSA, commented onthe event’s success: “The European Night of Languages is more than just a celebration of cultural and linguistic diversity; it is a vital bridge of mutual understanding and friendship. Witnessing the energy and curiosity of all the participants tonight confirms the deep cultural ties between the EU and the Kingdom. This success is a testament to the powerful collaboration between the EU Member States, and all our contributing partners. We are committed to fostering this spirit of dialogue and lifelong learning.”
The evening’s programme commenced with the Ambassador’s address, leading directly into a dedicated interactive language session where guests were given a chance to practised a variety of European languages. Entertainment highlights of the night included an enchanting Oud recital, entertaining language quizzes and, and a dynamic performance by a Portuguese band, Almanata, in 4 different European languages.
The EU Delegation extends its sincere gratitude to its key partner, the Language Exchange Club, and acknowledges the invaluable support of all contributing institutions for making the event a success: Alliance Française, Goethe Institut, Education First, SEK International School Riyadh, Teach Me Arabic Academy, and HYPHEN.
Mohammed Matham, founder of Language Exchange Club, added: “Working alongside the EU Delegation for the fifth time fills us with great joy. We’re proud to consistently organize these events, fostering deeper cultural understanding and language appreciation within our community.”
The European Night of Languages is inspired by the annual European Day of Languages, celebrated on 26 September, which is jointly organised by the European Commission and the Council of Europe to promote linguistic diversity, reinforce intercultural understanding, and encourage lifelong language learning.
