On September 8, 2026, Russia celebrates the Day of the Languages of the Peoples of the Russian Federation for the first time. This commemorative date was established by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin of November 4, 2025, “for the purpose of preserving and supporting the languages of the peoples of the Russian Federation.” The holiday is timed to coincide with the birthday of the outstanding poet Rasul Gamzatov (1923–2003), who considered two languages native—Avar and Russian—and whose creative work became a symbol of friendship between peoples and cultural diversity in the country.
In Russia, according to the Institute of Linguistics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, there are 155 living languages in 2026. According to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the state language throughout the country is Russian, while the republics within the Russian Federation have the right to establish their own state languages, which are used alongside Russian. Russia guarantees all peoples of the country the right to preserve their native language and to create conditions for its study and development, as enshrined in the Law “On the Languages of the Peoples of the Russian Federation” of 1991.
In the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, this holiday takes on special significance. As emphasized by Elena Yampolskaya, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation and Chairperson of the Council for the Implementation of State Policy in Support of the Russian Language and the Languages of the Peoples of Russia, the wealth and strength of Russia lie in the harmony of traditions, languages, and cultures, and preserving this wealth is our common task.
The “Lullaby in the Native Language” Competition by the IWU
The ROO “International Women’s Union” is holding the VII International Photo Contest “Mothers and Children in National Costumes,” which features a special nomination — “Lullaby in the Native Language.”
The objectives of this nomination are deeply aligned with the ideas behind the Day of the Languages of the Peoples of Russia. The competition aims to foster an understanding of the cultural wealth and uniqueness of various peoples and of friendly relations between them through songs. It is designed to introduce participants to traditions, folklore, and folk poetry, as well as to vividly demonstrate the cultural diversity and richness of peoples through songs.
Like the Day of the Languages of the Peoples of Russia, our competition is focused on preserving and promoting linguistic and cultural diversity, strengthening interethnic harmony, and passing on traditions through family values. A lullaby in one’s native language is not just music—it is a living memory of generations, a language of love and care that is understandable to every nation and at the same time unique to each culture.
The “Lullaby in the Native Language” nomination serves the same high purpose as the new national holiday: the preservation of native languages, the transmission of cultural heritage, and the strengthening of the unity of the peoples of Russia through respect for their diversity.
The International Women’s Union congratulates everyone on the Day of the Languages of the Peoples of Russia! We are convinced that language is not only a means of communication but also a whole system of values and meanings—a guardian of the unique culture and identity of each people. Our competition is designed to show how lullabies convey the soul of a nation, preserve traditions, and strengthen family values.
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