Tirana Celebrates International Arabic Language Day with Cultural Ceremony

International Arabic Language Day was marked in Tirana through a festive ceremony organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Republic of Albania. The event brought together representatives of Albanian state institutions, members of the diplomatic corps, academics, university leaders, cultural figures, as well as scholars and translators of the Arabic language.

The Albanian Government was represented by the Minister of Agriculture, Andis Salla; the Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Miriam Shyti; the Deputy Minister of Culture; members of Parliament; and representatives of central and local institutions. The ceremony was also attended by rectors and professors from public universities, including the University of Tirana, the University of Elbasan, the University of Durrës, and the University of Vlora; members of the Academy of Sciences of Albania; prefects, mayors, directors of research centers; and prominent figures from the academic and cultural community.

The event was held in the framework of World Arabic Language Day under the theme “New Pathways for the Arabic Language: Policies and Practices for a More Inclusive Linguistic Future.” The theme highlighted Arabic as both a rich historical heritage and a dynamic contemporary language that supports knowledge, dialogue, and development.

Opening the ceremony, Cultural Attaché of the Saudi Embassy, Muteb Alharithi, emphasized that Arabic is a language of civilization, thought, and spirit, serving as a bridge between cultures and peoples. He noted that celebrating Arabic is not only about honoring its past, but also about embracing its future as a living language that evolves and responds to modern challenges.

In his keynote address, His Excellency Faisal Ghazi Hifzi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, expressed his appreciation for hosting the event in Tirana and underlined the enduring importance of Arabic as a language that transcends time and geography. He stressed that preserving and developing Arabic is a shared responsibility, viewing it not merely as a heritage to protect but as a civilizational project that must adapt to scientific and technological progress.

Ambassador Hifzi highlighted the strong commitment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to promoting the Arabic language, particularly through the work of the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, which plays a key role in language policy development, research, translation, and international outreach, in line with Saudi Vision 2030. He also praised the growing cultural and intellectual cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Albania.

Addressing the audience, Minister of Agriculture Andis Salla emphasized the global significance of International Arabic Language Day and the profound contribution of Arabic to human knowledge and civilization. He noted that Arabic has conveyed universal values of faith, peace, and coexistence across centuries and called for innovative approaches that view language as a driver of cultural, educational, and social development.

On behalf of the Secretary General of the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, Professor Abdullah bin Salih Al-Washmi, remarks were delivered by Faisal Al Harbi. He outlined the Academy’s global initiatives, which extend to over sixty countries and focus on education, language policy, computational linguistics, cultural content, and international cooperation, ensuring Arabic’s active presence in today’s global landscape.

The ceremony concluded with an award presentation honoring individuals and institutions that contributed to the success of the event. Ambassador Faisal Hifzi presented decorations and symbolic gifts to Minister Andis Salla, Deputy Minister Miriam Shyti, representatives of academic institutions, the President of the Center for Interfaith Cooperation Arben Ramkaj, Tirana Times Director Jerina Zaloshnja, Faisal Al Harbi, and translator Elmaz Fida.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its appreciation to all participants, reaffirming that Arabic will continue to serve as a language of dialogue, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding.

World Arabic Language Day is celebrated annually on 18 December to honor one of the world’s oldest and most widely spoken languages, with more than 400 million speakers worldwide. The event in Tirana was widely regarded as a meaningful contribution to promoting linguistic diversity, cultural dialogue, and the strengthening of friendly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Albania.