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International swahili day
How was this event created?
In 2021, UNESCO declared July 7th as World Kiswahili Language Day, making Swahili the first African language to be officially celebrated worldwide.
This recognition highlights the importance of Swahili as a language of communication, unity, culture, and identity for millions of people across Africa and the diaspora.
Celebrate Language, Culture & Global Connection
On July 7, 2025, we invite you to a unique event that combines in-person and virtual participation, live from a high school in Kenya — ABC Kiatineni Secondary School to celebrate World Kiswahili Language Day, as proclaimed by UNESCO.
By attending this event, you will:
✅ Support an African language that promotes peace, unity, and culture;
✅ Hear the voices of teachers and students from the continent;
✅ Discover an original children’s book, written in Swahili, that celebrates African imagination and wisdom;
✅ Connect with the educational, literary, and cultural community from Kenya to Canada and beyond.
📅 Program – Monday, July 7, 2025
📍 Location: ABC Kiatineni Secondary School, Nairobi
🕓 Time: 4:30 PM (Nairobi) | 3:30 PM (Paris) | 9:30 AM (Toronto)
📡 Format: Hybrid event (in-person + online)
🕓 4:30 PM (Nairobi) | 3:30 PM (Paris) | 9:30 AM (Toronto)
Opening & Welcome Message
🎤 Hosts: Julius (English) & Tania (French)
Introduction of the event and World Kiswahili Language Day, recognized by UNESCO.
🕓 4:45 – 5:10 PM (Nairobi) | 4:10 PM (Paris) | 9:45 – 10:10 AM (Toronto)
Spotlight on Ruth Wambua
🎤 Co-hosted introductions
👩🏫 Ruth introduces herself in English and Swahili
She shares her experience teaching Swahili for over 15 years and introduces the book Hadithi ya Kale ya Mkufu Uliopotea.
🕔 5:10 PM (Nairobi) | 4:10 PM (Paris) | 10:10 AM (Toronto)
Meet the Author
✍️ Khadydja NDOYE introduces herself
She shares the inspiration behind the book, followed by a short reading in Swahili.
🕔 5:15 PM (Nairobi) | 4:15 PM (Paris) | 10:15 AM (Toronto)
Student Reflections
📚 Students read a passage from the book
🎙️ Student reactions and impressions
🕔 5:25 PM (Nairobi) | 4:25 PM (Paris) | 10:25 AM (Toronto)
Closing Remarks
🎤 Thanks from Julius & Tania
📸 Group photo
📚 Info on the upcoming French release of the book at SLAC 2025 (Afro-Canadian Book Fair – October in Ottawa)
