Posted on Tuesday 13th March 2012
World Mothertongue Day was celebrated at Istanbul BILGI University on 21 February 2012. The program was prepared by the Istanbul Bilgi University's European Institute, Laz Cultural Centre (Istanbul) and the Federation of Caucasian Associations (Ankara). The program was organized within the framework of ACCEPT Pluralism.
This was the second time that the European Institute of Istanbul Bilgi University celebrated the Mothertongue Day in a time corresponding to similar claims voiced by various groups in Turkey and to a recent preocupation with the preparation of a more democratic and inclusive form of constitution to replace the 1982 constitution enacted by the 1980 Military coup.
This year's event started with a panel followed by a music and poetry performance in Bengali, Circassian and Laz languages. In the panel, speakers talked about the origins of the World Mothertongue Day- which was announced by UNESCO in 1999- with special reference to the Bengali mothertongue movement agains the Pakistani state in 1952, as well as the importance of mothertongue language in the Circassian and Laz communities located in Turkey.
Below the program and poster for the Mothertongue Day at Istanbul Bilgi University, along with some photos of the event:
Program (21 February 2012, Tuesday, 19.00-21.00, İstanbul Bilgi University, BS Dolapdere Campus, Beyoğlu)
Panel: (19.00-20.00)
Ayhan Kaya - Moderator
Mehmedali Barış Beşli - Teaching Laz Language
Murat Papşu - Circassian Language and its Importance
Sorwar Alam - Bengali Language Movement
Music Performance: (20.00-21.00)
Zahid Anvar (Vocal) and Abdullah Al Mamun (Poetry): Bengali Songs
Si Wored: Songs in Circassian language
Muhammet Arnavutoğlu: Laz Songs
