Celebrating Languages, Literature, Culture and Community
An annual multicultural celebration held in Victoria around 21 February, in recognition of International Mother Language Day, proclaimed by UNESCO.
UNESCO RecognisedProclaimed by UNESCO to promote linguistic & cultural diversity worldwide.
IMLBFF Victoria
February
The festival brings together communities from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds to celebrate the richness of mother languages, literature, folk traditions, arts, and intercultural dialogue. Through books, storytelling, music, dance, discussions, exhibitions, and community engagement activities, the festival creates a vibrant platform where cultures connect, languages thrive, and communities unite.
International Mother Language Day is observed globally on 21 February to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. Languages carry history, identity, knowledge, traditions, and collective memory.
Celebrate and preserve mother languages and cultural identity among diverse communities across Victoria.
Encourage meaningful intercultural dialogue, mutual respect, and understanding between communities.
Promote literature, publishing, storytelling, and creative arts from different linguistic backgrounds.
Strengthen community cohesion, inclusion, and social harmony through cultural participation.
Celebrate Victoria's multicultural diversity through literature, folk music, dance, and cultural arts.
Inspire young Australians to value and preserve their linguistic and cultural heritage.
Engage the broader Australian community in multicultural participation and cross-cultural learning.
Provide a platform where every culture, language, and community voice is heard and celebrated.
The literary heart of the festival featuring exhibitions, book launches, author meet-and-greets, poetry readings, literary discussions, multilingual publications, and children's literature.
Folk music, traditional and contemporary dance, theatre, cultural fashion, instrumental and vocal performances representing diverse communities.
Language workshops, community seminars, youth leadership programs, storytelling sessions, interactive cultural exhibitions, and heritage displays.
Book launches, author talks, panel discussions, poetry readings, and literary workshops with local and international authors, poets, translators, and storytellers.
Mother language learning activities, storytelling, cultural games, and interactive heritage demonstrations for young festival-goers.
Recognition of outstanding contributions in language preservation, literature, cultural leadership, community engagement, and multicultural advocacy.
The festival recognises outstanding contributions in language preservation, literature and publishing, cultural leadership, community engagement, youth leadership, multicultural advocacy, and creative arts.
Language Preservation & Promotion
Literature & Publishing Excellence
Cultural Leadership
Community Engagement
Youth Leadership
Multicultural Advocacy
Creative Arts & Storytelling
Educational Achievement
Media & Communications
Photos from our festival will appear here.
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The festival actively collaborates with Victorian Government agencies, local councils, cultural organisations, community associations, educational institutions, libraries, publishers, and corporate sponsors.
The International Mother Language Book & Folk Festival Victoria is a flagship initiative of the Mother Language, Literature & Cultural Council, Melbourne Inc. (MLLCC) — a Victorian incorporated not-for-profit organisation.
Visit MLLCC Melbourne →Support the celebration of linguistic diversity and cultural heritage in Victoria.
Submit Sponsorship Enquiry"Every Language Matters. Every Culture Belongs. Every Voice Counts."
Join our growing community and help celebrate the languages, stories, and cultural traditions that enrich our multicultural society.