Indigenous languages to feature in World Esperanto Congress 2022 program in Montreal

MONTREAL (QC), July 19, 2021 –  As Esperanto speakers around the world prepare to celebrate Esperanto Day on July 26th, which marks the anniversary of the publication in 1887 by L.L. Zamenhof of the first book publicly presenting this internationally oriented language, preparations are intensifying for the organization of the 107th World Esperanto Congress, due to take place in Montreal from August 6th to 13th, 2022.

The World Esperanto Congress, the largest gathering of Esperanto speakers worldwide, coming from dozens of countries, usually takes place each year in a different city and country. Originally planned for Montreal in 2020, it had to be postponed by the World Esperanto Association due to the pandemic.

The theme of the 2022 edition will be: “Language, life, land: the Decade of Indigenous Languages“. This refers to the Decade of Indigenous Languages declared by UNESCO from 2022 and will be officially presented on July 24th, the last day of the Second Virtual Esperanto Congress taking place throughout this week. This theme fully fits the World Esperanto Association’s commitment to furthering cultural and linguistic rights and a sustainable development which respects the needs of minority groups. In particular, the organizers of the Congress intend to collaborate with Land InSights’ First Peoples’ Festival, due to take place in Montreal at the same time.

The program will also include lectures on a host of historical, cultural, political and other topics, and will also allow participants to discover Montreal, Quebec and Canada.

Montreal had officially been selected to host the World Congress as early as 2017. The project had already received the support of various public figures during preparatory activities in 2016, including that of  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Quotes

“This Congress will be one of the first major international events to take place in Montreal after the pandemic. In this sense, it will fully participate in the city’s recovery. We look forward to welcoming Esperanto speakers from all over the world, who for several years have shown a strong interest in Montreal, Quebec and Canada.” – Normand Fleury, president of the local organizing committee of the Congress

“The theme of the Congress, namely the situation of Indigenous peoples in Canada, the Americas, and throughout the world, including cultural and linguistic aspects, is of special significance in a context in which Indigenous issues have become ever more prevalent in Canadian public debate. It is a message of fraternity sent to all people, in a spirit of reconciliation.” – Duncan Charters, president of the World Esperanto Association.

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About Esperanto

Esperanto, with a rich tradition spanning 134 years, is a language developed to foster mutual understanding between peoples and respect for linguistic and cultural diversity. It does not belong to any people or country in particular. July 26th marks the anniversary of the language’s original publication by its initiator, L. L. Zamenhof, a native of Białystok in modern-day Poland.

About the World Esperanto Association

The World Esperanto Association is an independent organization whose aim is to raise awareness about and promote the use of Esperanto. In addition to organizing its annual World Congress, it is in official consultative relations with the UN and UNESCO.

This press release is issued by the local organizational committee for the 107th World Esperanto Congress. For more information or interviews: info@esperanto2022.ca