Multilingualism Day 2025  

Multilingualism Day is your opportunity to peek behind the scenes at the world’s most multilingual parliament and find out how the European Parliament works in 24 languages. Meet our interpreters, translators, lawyer linguists, communications experts and other multilingual staff, learn about their work and explore the Hemicycle.

As we reflect on the past, celebrate the present and imagine the future, multilingualism remains a powerful thread connecting generations of Europeans – preserving our heritage, enabling inclusive democracy today and paving the way for a united, diverse tomorrow. 

Multilingualism ensures that everyone in the EU can follow the work of our directly elected representatives in any of the 24 official EU languages. Linguistic and cultural diversity is one of the EU’s strengths and is enshrined in the EU treaties. Multilingualism Day is your chance to see this diversity in action.

The event offers a varied programme of activities over two days. On Friday 26 September, you can follow workshops online and on Saturday 27 September, we’ll welcome you on-site at the European Parliament in Brussels.

Get a deeper insight into interpretation and translation at these interactive workshops. The online sessions cover various aspects of working as a language professional at the European Parliament and are a great opportunity to get answers to your questions.

The workshops are limited to small groups, so registration is mandatory and on a first come, first served basis. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with details on how to take part. Sessions last between 30 and 90 minutes and will be held in a variety of languages.

Explore multilingualism through fun activities in the European Parliament’s PAUL-HENRI SPAAK visitors area (follow the signs ‘GROUP & HEMICYCLE VISITS’) between 10:00 and 18:00.
You will need to register at the entrance. Please bring a valid national identity card or passport with you (driving licences not accepted).

Find out more about interpretation and translation with talks about the different aspects of the two professions and multilingualism in general.

Meeting room 0C.11

Talks interpreted into Dutch, English, French, German and Spanish.

Talks transcribed and translated live in EU official languages on your phone or tablet. Simply scan the Speech-to-text QR codes in the room.

Meeting room 0C.41

Talks without interpretation

• Behind the hype: separating AI fiction from translation reality – This interactive workshop cuts through the AI hype to explore what artificial intelligence truly means for language professionals. Over one hour, participants will first explore AI's current capabilities and limitations in translation. They will then examine real-world examples from the European Parliament's translation service, showcasing where AI excels and where human expertise remains irreplaceable. The session concludes with a hands-on exercise. Designed for language studies students and professionals familiar with translation technology, this workshop provides practical insights for navigating the evolving translation landscape.

Online registration required (opens on 22 September)

• Translation and clear language workshops in Dutch, English, French and German – Try your hand at translating with our expert translators, and/or learn the basics of clear language in an interactive way.

Online registration required (opens on 22 September)

• Geautomatiseerde vertaling in het Europees Parlement: ontdek hoe de vertalers van het Parlement hun werk doen in deze tijd van automatisering en AI. (This workshop will be held in Dutch. Automated translation at the European Parliament)

Online registration required (opens on 22 September)

• Translation slam with the English Translation Unit – Come and put your translation skills to the test in this battle of wit and words! Language requirements: ability to work from either French, German or Spanish into C1 English. (This workshop will be held in English.)

Online registration required (opens on 22 September)        

• Level up your English with Parliament’s translators – Analyse an English source text with two of Parliament’s translators, discuss potential translation challenges and explore possible solutions and strategies. Language requirements: minimum C1 level of English.   (This workshop will be held in English.)

Online registration required (opens on 22 September)                

• Using clear language to write effective emails – We use email a lot, but are we communicating effectively? This workshop shows you how clear language can improve your email communication, and gives you the chance to apply some tips and tricks to practical examples.  (This workshop will be held in English.)

Online registration required (opens on 22 September)    

• Joute de traduction française : Duel sur des titres de presse anglophone. Chaque traducteur défendra sa version française pour remporter le vote du public. (This workshop will be held in French. Translation duel, English into French)

          Online registration required (opens on 22 September)

• Le langage clair dans la traduction vers le français : Présentation théorique sur le langage clair et application à la traduction en français clair d'un texte (mal) rédigé en anglais. (This workshop will be held in French. Clear language applied to translation into French)

        Online registration required (opens on 22 September)

• Vom Diktiergerät zur KI: Die Evolution der Mehrsprachigkeit im Europäischen Parlament
  Ein Überblick über den Wandel institutioneller Übersetzung – von traditioneller Sprachmittlung bis zur KI-gestützten maschinellen Übersetzung (z. B. ChatGPT, DeepL). Was bleibt, was verändert sich, was kommt? (This workshop will be held in German. From dictation machines to AI: the evolution of multilingualism in the European Parliament)

Online registration required (opens on 22 September)

• Multilingualism in action: building effective interpreter teams –
  Take part in a hands-on workshop to assemble teams of interpreters for parliamentary meetings. Find out how teams are balanced, taking key rules and language combinations into account.

No registration needed (first come, first served)

• Memory training and note-taking techniques – Discover the secrets behind the incredible memory and lightning-fast note-taking skills of the European Parliament’s conference interpreters. Practise simple techniques for capturing and retaining key information in stressful situations, when every detail matters.

No registration needed (first come, first served)

• Bridging cultures: cultural competence in interpretation – Learn how to navigate cultural nuances to ensure clear and respectful communication, by taking into account aspects such as non-verbal communication, idioms and expressions, and communication styles.

No registration needed (first come, first served)

• Art & Language: intergenerational workshop – Practise the skill of describing art in a political context and have fun along the way. Suitable for all ages.

Registration on the 4th floor.

• Experience the European Parliament Hemicycle (10:30-17:00, every 30 minutes) – Explore the chamber where Parliament’s debates and votes take place. Multilingual presentations with Q&A.         

Registration in front of the Hemicycle on the ground floor.

• Visit a booth – A guided visit to one of the interpretation booths in the Hemicycle.

Registration on the 4th floor.

• My House of European History recording corner – Take a seat and add your European story to this collaborative history project.
   
• Europarl Radio – Our very own Europarl Radio will be broadcasting live from Multilingualism Day. Tune in for multilingual interviews with translators, interpreters and participants, European music and exclusive insights from the event ... wherever you are!
   
• Multilingualism at the Europa Experiences – Try our quiz and find out more about our European hubs in the EU countries.

• LUX Audience Award – Did you know that the European Parliament is the only parliament in the world to award a film prize? The LUX Audience Award celebrates five outstanding European films each year. The nominated films are subtitled in all 24 official EU languages – this year, to ensure accessibility for all, they will feature Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH). Free screenings of the nominated films are organised by the European Parliament in all Member States. Visit this stand to discover more about the LUX Audience Award and the subtitling process.

• Interpretation booths – Try interpreting in our practice booths and get feedback from an interpreter!
   
• Translation in action – Ever wondered how translation works in the EU? Try it yourself! Try out the tools used in Parliament to translate texts, videos and amendments and see how technology supports multilingual democracy.
   
• News in Brief audio booth – Record the news in any of the 24 official EU languages and become an anchor for the day! The audio file is then edited, mixed, and sent to you as an audiogram that you can share with friends and family or on your socials.
   
• Speed networking with our language professionals – Come discover the variety of language professions at the European Parliament and ask our professionals everything you need to know about their work. (11:20 to 12:20, and 16:00 to 17:00)
   
• Meet your language professionals – Curious about Parliament’s language services? Stop by to meet the experts!

• Language games – Games for kids and adults. Come put your language skills to the test in a fun way!
   
• Temporary tattoos – Show your love for languages with a tattoo.
   
• Discover the 2025 EU Presidency languages – Stop by and learn a few basics in Polish and Danish with fun, hands-on mini-lessons. No experience needed,  just curiosity!
   
• Photo wall – Take a photo for a chance to win a prize!