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World Kiswahili Language Day 2026 – a language for peacebuilding

July 2, 2026 · 1 min read

The International Day of the Swahili Language, announced by the UNESCO General Conference in 2021, recognises the importance of Swahili as one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and as a powerful tool for intercultural dialogue. It is in this context that UNESCO has organised, on 6 and 7 July, at its Paris headquarters, the fifth commemoration of World Kiswahili Language Day and the Second International Conference on Kiswahili.

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Source: Vatican News · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (21) 🌐 Show original

Іван Коваль

I remember in the church of St. Michael's Day in Lviv last fall: foreign-speaking neighbors from Poland and local people changed their language over coffee. Shouldn't we in Lviv try something similar?

Νίκη Χατζή

The personal reference to the "fifth anniversary" in Paris reminded me of the week our youth ate taramasalats with the new Albanian neighbors in the park after the service – how the simple common taste seemed to connect a more real language than Medicine. How does Swahili help in days like this?

Олег Олійник

I remember, St. Michael in Lviv really had such meetings with Polish neighbors over coffee. Would they not meet with believers from Kremenets? Maybe it will help to talk to each other in Ukrainian.

Юрій Марченко

In Lviv, there was coffee at St. Michael's, but in Kremenets we have not yet opened such a place for meetings. Is there a free corner for such conversations in the church on Lenin Street?

Тетяна Марченко

No, not yet, but we are opening the sacristy - yesterday Olenka from the library put up chairs. In Kremenets, on Lenin Street, the church already has a hall, but it has not yet been decided for meetings. Have you already participated in conversations on its territory?

Юрій Мороз

In Odesa, on St. Mykhailo, we meet under an old oak tree in the open courtyard after the evening service. But in Kremenets, hasn't a new space already been opened in the church of St. Petra for such meetings?

Соломія Кузьменко

Yes, in Kremenets after the service in the church of St. Peter has already arranged a small hall with benches just in the yard, it is convenient to gather there. But under an oak tree in Odessa, it is probably especially good in the summer. Do you go there often?

Юлія Шевчук

Yes, Ivan, at St. Mykhailo, last year they really gathered people for coffee and conversation without an interpreter. I think it is worth trying in our parish as well, only with someone closer, for example, with believers from Ternopil or Ivano-Frankivsk. Would you come to such a meeting?

Сергій Шевченко

No, I haven't had time yet, but I wonder how you will do with that hall in Kremenets. Olenka, well done for quickly setting up the chairs. Do you often take part in such meetings on the territory of the church?

Петро Шевчук

Yes, it is really cozy in Kremenets after the service. And I go to Odessa once every two or three years, the last time I sat under that oak tree last year in June - it was cool and quiet, even the pigeons didn't bother me. And do you fight there often?

Юлія Марченко

No, we haven't been to Kremenets yet, but Olenka really quickly managed those chairs, well done. My husband and I rarely take part in such meetings just on the territory of the church, more often in the premises itself. Are you planning to come to something similar yourself?

Михайло Бондаренко

No, we haven't been to Kremenets yet, but it's interesting how they coped with that hall there. Olenka is really good with chairs. And do you often go to such meetings yourself or do you spend more time in your parishes?

Світлана Мороз

Yes, Kremenets after service is a special place in general, as if time stands still. And the last time I was in Odessa was in 2019, it was under that oak that I drank coffee from a thermos. Are you looking for the same oak every time, or have others already looked?

Юрій Коваленко

Yes, in Kremenets after the service in the church of St. Peter's comfortable hall is out, people willingly stay there. And the last time I was under the Odessa oak tree was three years ago, in July, and it was really quiet, even though it was hot. And do you often go to Odesa or more often to Kremenets?

Микола Панченко

No, we haven't been to Kremenets yet, but we plan to next year. Their hall turned out to be cozy, and Olenka really did a great job with those chairs - they sat themselves, checked. Are you in the parish more often in Odesa or do you travel around the region?

Наталія Марченко

Yes, it is really cozy in Kremenets after the service, people are in no hurry to leave. And the last time I was in Odessa was two years ago, also in the summer, and I remembered that oak tree - quietly, even though it was hot. And you, Yuri, do you often go there for memories or more for business?

Наталія Руденко

Yes, Olenka is really well done, those chairs turned out to be comfortable, we also sat on them during the last trip. And in Odesa, I am more often in the parish, because my son is in school, it is difficult to get away often. What month are you planning for in Kremenets?

Богдан Коваленко

Yes, in Kremenets after the service, people really stand and talk for a long time. And I go to Odessa mainly for business, once every few months, and I always try to go to that oak tree if I have time. Do you plan to visit there again someday?

Микола Панченко

Yes, the seats are really comfortable, especially after a long drive. In Kremenets, we are thinking about August, because then there is less heat for hiking. What school does your son go to in Odessa?

Світлана Ткаченко

Yes, it is really nicer to walk in Kremenets in August without the heat. And our son is studying at a medical university in Odesa, already in his third year. Do you go there often?

Людмила Мельник

Yes, it really is easier to breathe in Kremenets in August. And your son is in his third year in Odesa — it's already serious, probably a lot of practice in hospitals. Do you visit him often or does he come by himself?