The Mauritanian Association for the Coverage of Soninke Language and Culture, "Wagadougou Sani", organized a celebration on Sunday at the National Museum in Nouakchott to mark International Soninke Language Day. The event was held under the theme "From Oral to Written: Making Soninke a Language for Production, Learning, and Creativity in the 21st Century". The celebration was attended by several cultural personalities and stakeholders.
The event was chaired by Sidi Mohamed Khatri Jeddou, Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, who emphasized that celebrating the Soninke language is, in essence, celebrating Mauritania itself, with its rich past, shared present, and desired future. He reiterated the Ministry's commitment to supporting national languages and ensuring each has its rightful place in the national cultural landscape.
Ali Bbou Gandika, President of the Mauritanian Association, commended the government's policy aimed at promoting national languages and praised efforts to elevate their status as important sources of cultural wealth for future generations. He highlighted the significance of the Soninke language in Mauritania's cultural heritage.
The Director General of the Institute for the Promotion and Teaching of National Languages, Ambou Sita Jghana, stressed that developing national languages contributes to enriching the country's shared linguistic heritage and building a society where linguistic diversity is a valuable resource. He called for providing means to enable new generations to master their languages while being open to other knowledge and perspectives.
The celebration, co-organized with the Ministry of Culture, Arts, Communication, and Relations with Parliament, brought together several cultural figures and stakeholders interested in cultural and linguistic affairs. The event featured discussions and activities highlighting the importance of the Soninke language and its role in Mauritania's cultural identity.
The Soninke language is one of the national languages of Mauritania, spoken by a significant portion of the population. Efforts to promote and develop the language have been ongoing, with a focus on documentation, education, and cultural production. The celebration aimed to raise awareness about the language's significance and encourage its use in various contexts.
The International Soninke Language Day celebration in Nouakchott concluded with a renewed commitment to promoting and preserving the Soninke language and culture. Key stakeholders emphasized the need for continued collaboration and support to ensure the language's vitality and relevance in modern times.
Key points
- The celebration was held under the theme "From Oral to Written: Making Soninke a Language for Production, Learning, and Creativity in the 21st Century".
- The event was attended by several cultural personalities and stakeholders interested in cultural and linguistic affairs.
- The Ministry of Culture reiterated its commitment to supporting national languages and ensuring each has its rightful place in the national cultural landscape.
