Spanish Language Day at the United Nations is celebrated on April 23 to honor the legacy of Miguel de Cervantes, the most renowned figure in Spanish literature, who died on this date in 1616. Cervantes’ masterpiece, Don Quixote, is considered one of the greatest works in world literature and played a major role in shaping the modern Spanish language. Spanish Language Day celebrates the history and culture of the Spanish language. As one of the UN’s six official languages, Spanish is a key instrument for international dialogue and cooperation. The observance highlights the importance of linguistic diversity and the role of language in promoting mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and peace among peoples.
What languages do you speak?
Visit our photobooth to show your language abilities
The photobooth will be set up between 22 and 29 April during working hours.
Directions: enter through door 40 (E-Building, 2nd floor). Move to the first floor towards the Serpent Bar. The photobooth is located close to the Cagi cultural kiosk.
Everyone working at or visiting the United Nations Office at Geneva has the opportunity to take a picture showcasing the languages they speak.
Take your colleagues for a group picture and demonstrate the linguistic diversity in your team!
Did you know?
- In 2024, for the first time, the number of Spanish speakers exceeded 600 million?
- the letter "ñ" was born in the Middle Ages, as an abbreviation of "nn" to save space on parchments?
- the longest word in the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy is "electroencefalografista" and it has 23 letters?
- the Philippine Academy of the Spanish Language celebrated its first centenary this year?
- no fewer than 4,000 Spanish words come from Arabic, such as aceituna, azúcar, almohada, álgebra, cifra, elixir, hazaña and sorbete?
- in July 2024 Spanish became the third official language of the Hague Conference on Private International Law?
- The word "siesta" comes from the Latin sexta, which refers to the sixth hour of the day?
- in 2013 the Group of Friends of Spanish was created to coordinate activities to promote the use and dissemination of Spanish in the work of the UN?
Test your knowledge of the Spanish language!
