- event type:WOMEX 19 Conference Session
- date:25 Oct 2019
- time:15:00 - 16:00
- city/area:Tampere
- venue:Conference Room 1, Sonaatti 1, Tampere Hall
- country:Finland
- event posted by:Piranha Arts
Links
Session 15
Chaired by Hinurewa te Hau (New Zealand), Matariki Cultural Foundation
with Eluned Hâf (UK), Wales Arts International;
Marimύ᾽te᾽ka Amejimina (Colombia), Instituto Distrital de las Artes, Idartes;
Sandra Márjá West (Norway), Riddu Riđđu Festival
There is an urgent need to preserve, revitalise and promote Indigenous languages around the world. There are some 6,000-7,000 languages in the world today. About 97% of the world’s population speaks only 4% of these languages, while only 3% of the world speak 96% of all remaining languages. A great majority of those languages, spoken mainly by Indigenous peoples, will continue to disappear at an alarming rate. Without appropriate measures to address this issue, the further loss of languages and their associated history, traditions and memory would considerably reduce the rich tapestry of linguistic diversity worldwide. The panel will discuss what music can achieve to raise awareness, not only for the people who speak these languages, but also for others to appreciate the important contribution they make to our world’s rich cultural diversity.