DRONGO is for anyone who lives in, and wants to explore the modern multilingual world. Is my language a problem or a solution? Where can I find booklets, expertise, training, tests, schools, interpreters? At DRONGO you will find questions and answers, speakers and storytellers, and a lot of contact opportunities. For children and parents, students and teachers, language professionals, policy makers and language fans!

I’ve been talking about it, blogging about it, writing about it… and now it is here. The 3rd annual DRONGO Festival of Multilingualism is in Amsterdam, this Saturday, September 27, from 10:00-17:00.
What have we been working so hard on for the last year? We’ve been lining up a festival that promises something for everyone, whether you are a little multilingual, a lot multilingual, or would just like to become multilingual…

There are so many great events that I can not highlight them all, and the whole program can be found on the website DRONGO Festival 2014

A brief list of the things I am really looking forward to:

Abdelkader Benali’s “Search for the most beautiful word” – an amaxing journey through language and meaning
Dr. Antonella Sorace’s talk on “Investigating Multilingualism: benefits and challenges”
Speed Language Lessons – try out one of the many languages on offer yourself, or for your kids, with Speed Languages for Kids (European School Bergen) – what a great opportunity for your kids to try out another language in a “speedy” format

And of course, the highlight for me will be the two multilingual read-a-thon sessions of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” (11:00-12:00, 15:30-16:30). Last year this event was immensely special, as parents and children sat entranced to 12 versions of the much-loved story. This year we are looking forward to making it even better than ever. Job Cohen, Former Mayor of Amsterdam and Chair of the Board of the OBA, will open the first session, followed by Emmy McCarthy from Amsterdam Mamas, and then readers in a variety of other languages. The second session will be opened by Abdelkader Benali, reading in Dutch and in… how many languages? Definitely an event not to miss, for young and old.
We still have room for more readers, so if you would like to share your language with us, or know someone who might like to, please email me at ecrisfield@drongofestival.nl

These are just my personal highlights, do check out the full program and find out what is on for you. Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday (blog-readers, I will be in the Children’s Library all day, and would be delighted to meet you!).