International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the General Conference of UNESCO in
November 1999 and has been celebrated annually since February 2000. The UN General Assembly
welcomed the proclamation of this day in its resolution from 2002.
The main goal of the holiday is to preserve the diversity of linguistic heritage and maintain the
diversity of cultures.
Language is not just a means of communication, it is the basis of our culture and identity. In the
context of globalization many autochthonous languages including Abkhazian are on the verge of
extinction. The preservation of any language begins with its study and teaching, so today we are
obliged to popularize our original language among the young population. The anniversary of the
poet, writer, patriarch of the Abkhazian written literature - Dmitry Gulia – gives a special
significance to this date.

The day also highlights the importance of protecting the right to freely use the mother tongue.
According to the Constitution of the Republic of Abkhazia our state guarantees all ethnic groups
living on the territory of the Republic of Abkhazia to freely use their native language.
International Mother Language Day encourages us to appreciate and cherish our native and
familiar means of communication - our language, while reminding us of its uniqueness and the
deep DNA of its carrier – the Abkhazian people.