Mother Tongue Day in Estonia
March 14 · Level 2 · #1975 of 2238
Estonia's Mother Tongue Day celebrates the Estonian language and the literature, conversations and everyday experiences it makes possible. It is a chance to enjoy familiar words, discover new ones and consider how a language passes from one generation to the next.
How it is celebrated: schools and libraries hold readings, language quizzes and gatherings. A well-known radio dictation gives anyone who wishes a chance to test their Estonian spelling.
The holiday falls on the birthday of poet Kristjan Jaak Peterson. Although he lived for only 21 years, he became a major figure in Estonia's literary heritage.