European Day of Languages 26 September

The European Day of Languages (E.D.L.) is observed on September 26 annually. This day promotes awareness about language learning and protecting linguistic heritage. The overall purpose is to raise awareness of Europe’s rich linguistic and cultural diversity, which must be encouraged and preserved. It also strives to broaden the spectrum of languages that people learn throughout their lives to improve bilingualism and intercultural understanding. E.D.L. provides a chance to honour all of Europe’s languages, particularly those spoken less frequently and spoken by migrants.

This year, the European Day of Languages > Home (ecml.at) have put together a selection of resources and produced a series of short videos focusing on ‘Questions you never dared to ask about languages’ with experts covering a range of backgrounds and specialisations responding.

Please let us know how your school is going to celebrate this year’s E.D.L. If you would like EMTAS to support you to plan the day, please get in touch!

World Fun Fair Month

We’re raising awareness of Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showmen (GRTS) communities in Devon for World Fun Fair Month, this September.

Who are Showman?

People in these Traveller groups often have a regular travelling season between April and October, during which time they may be away travelling with their families for their work. The families may be travelling for the whole season or they may just be away for odd weeks here and there. These families may also be involved with Christmas and Easter events such as markets and winter fairs.

Unlike Irish Travellers and Gypsies, Showmen do not view themselves as an ethnic group but as a cultural one united by the fairground industry.

Find out more by watching this short clip from the BBC News: ‘People don’t know who we Showmen are’.

What is World Fun Fair Month?

World Fun Fair Month is celebrated in September every year in countries across the world. Fun fairs provide great entertainment for those visiting and allow people to have fun and create great memories. The month aims to show appreciation to the many showmen who partake in the events at the fair and to uphold and celebrate all aspects of the fairground tradition. Showmen from the UK, Europe, North America, and Australasia join hands and work together to ensure that the event is a truly global and memorable one.

World Fun Fair Month is a celebration not just of the industry, but also of the people who share their unique cultural heritage as showmen, a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Showmen are intrinsically linked with the towns they visit and the fairgrounds that have been a staple of the community for centuries and Future4Fairgrounds launched a video – I Am A Showman – to highlight awareness of who Show people are and to demonstrate the unity of the community as showmen of all ages and several nations got involved.