Logo Goethe-Institut

South Africa

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10:00 AM-4:00 PM

International Mother Language Day

Festival|Join us for a vibrant festival that celebrates the beauty of linguistic diversity! Our festival brings together voices from across the globe, featuring German, Portuguese, Sesotho, Austrian German, isiZulu, British English, French, Soweto Language, Polish, Flemish, Dutch, SiSwati, Spanish, Italian, Korean, isiXhosa and Mandarin.

  • Goethe-Institut Johannesburg, Johannesburg

  • English
  • Free
Book Tickets

Menschen feiern im Freien, während buntes Konfetti durch die Luft fliegt. Die Sonne scheint hell im Hintergrund und erzeugt eine warme, festliche Stimmung. © Goethe-Institut

A young couple visits a covered market and takes a selfie. Many international flags hang above them. © Goethe-Institut

Discover the richness of languages through exciting activities: crash and flirt courses, our interactive speak-dating game, an engaging panel discussion with esteemed panellists, storytelling, live international music and performances, colourful face painting, and food trucks.

Take part in our quiz and stand a chance to win fantastic prizes!

This special day is more than a celebration – it is a powerful reminder that every language carries history, identity and connection.

Language connects – let us celebrate the diversity of languages together!

The host for this event is the Goethe-Institut South Africa in partnership with the Austrian Cultural Forum of the Austrian Embassy in Pretoria, the German Embassy in Pretoria, the Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg, the Embassy of Portugal - Camões IP Education Department, the British Council, The Alliance Française the Johannesburg, the Zulu Aunty, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria, the Delegation of Flanders in Southern Africa, the Colegio Español, the Dante Alighieri Society, the DAAD, Ambani Africa, BK Publishing, the Japanese Language Club and Wikimedia, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Goethe-Institut Johannesburg: Internationaler Tag der Muttersprache 2026 - Programm © Goethe-Institut

Dowload the full programme:

Programme International Mother Language Day 2026(PDF, 1 MB)

Partners

  • Goethe-Institut Logo
  • Logo of Austrian Embassy Pretoria
  • Logo of Austrian Cultural Forum Pretoria
  • Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg
  • Logo der Società Dante Alighieri
  • Logo of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria
  • Logo of Flanders
  • Logo of Colegio Español
  • British Council
  • Logo of Embassy of Portugal
  • Logo of Camões - Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua Portugal
  • Logo of Alliance Francaise Johannesburg
  • Logo of Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Pretoria
  • DAAD South Africa
  • Logo of Japanaese Language Club South Africa
  • Logo of Wikimedia
  • Logo of Ambani
  • BK Kids Logo
  • Logo of Swahili Afrika
  • Logo of Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands