Brussels, 25/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 26 September, Europe celebrates its linguistic diversity with “European Languages Day”. This joint European Commission and Council of Europe event is celebrated every seven years as an extension of the European Languages Year of 2001. This European Day has two aims: raising public awareness about the importance of learning languages, making languages better known and appreciated, and encouraging the learning of languages throughout life. This year, the Commission will underline its specific commitment by organising events at the Berlaymont and Charlemagne buildings. These will include two seminars that bring together experts on multilingualism. The first will underline the benefits of linguistic diversity in Europe and the second will clarify the potential contribution of the media to learning languages and promoting multilingualism. There will also be an exhibition opposite the Berlaymont, inaugurated by Commissioner Leonard Orban (in charge of multilingualism). The exhibition will present a selection of projects funded by the European Union, some of which will be interactive. Several games, such as a language quiz, a crossword and a postcard competition are also part of the planned activities. Member states are organising their own events with the aid of the Commission's antennae network for multilingualism. The list of activities planned can be consulted at: http: //europa.eu/languages/fr/home. Mr Orban stated that “languages constitute an opening up to the world. They provide new horizons for personal and professional development, as well as for economic development. Our society requires more and more multilingualism in a variety of areas”. (il)