This special event is your big opportunity to peek behind the scenes of the European Parliament - the world’s most multilingual parliament - and experience how it works in 24 languages. Participants can take part in numerous activities and get to meet interpreters, translators and other multilingual staff, learn about their work and even set foot inside the Hemicycle where MEPs debate and vote in Brussels.
The European Parliament is definitely a multilingual environment as 24 languages are used by staff and translators. Multilingualism ensures that all EU citizens can follow the work of their democratic representatives in any of the 24 official languages. Linguistic and cultural diversity is one of the EU’s greatest strengths, it is a core value that is woven into the Treaties establishing the EU.
Multilingualism Day 2023 is your chance to see this diversity in action.
The online and interactive workshops start as early as this Friday and will cover many aspects of working as a language professional at the European Parliament.
On Saturday, the Parliament opens it's doors to the public for a varied programme and visitors can even experience the Chamber and talk to interpreters and translators.
Programme on Friday 22 September
Dive deeper into interpretation and translation through interactive workshops. These programmes will be held entirely online and will cover various aspects of working as a language professional at the European Parliament.
Registration is mandatory as the workshops are limited to small groups. You will receive a confirmation email with the details on how to take part in the workshop shortly after registration. Sessions will last between 30 and 90 minutes and will be held in a variety of languages. Some may be recorded. Book your spot here!
Multilingualism Day 2022
Programme on Saturday 23 September
Ground Floor
There will be many fun activities at the visitors’ centre in the Paul-Henri Spaak building from 10.00 - 18.00. Entrance is free and open to everyone but please make sure to bring your ID. Be green, bring your reusable bottle - water fountains will be available throughout the venue.
On the ground floor, there will be talks with interpreters and translators in which you can gain more insight into interpretation and translation by sitting in on a variety of talks about the different facets of the two professions, multilingualism in general and working at the European Parliament. The events start at 10.30 - 17.00 and even includes at 12.30 - 13.15 the panel discussion "Democracy in Action in 24 Languages" with Valter Mavrič, Agnieszka Walter-Drop and Philipp Schulmeister, heads of the translation, interpretation and communication campaigns services of the European Parliament.
Fourth Floor
On the fourth level, you can experience the European Parliament Hemicycle from 10.30 - 17.00, where you can discover the room where the debates and votes take place. Multilingual presentations will be held throughout the day and will include a Q&A. The registration will be in front of the Hemicycle on the fourth floor.
You will also be able to try your hand at interpreting in the practice booths and get feedback from a real interpreter or follow a guided tour of one of the interpretation booths in the Hemicycle. Registration is required on the fourth floor.
Promoted by the European Parliament
