The man who invented the universal language Esperanto has been honored in his native city on the 165th anniversary of his birth.
Ludwik Zamenhof was born into a Jewish family in Białystock, northeastern Poland, on December 15, 1859. A doctor by trade, he dedicated his life to creating an auxiliary language that could bridge cultural and linguistic divides – a vision inspired by his upbringing in the multicultural Polish city.
Held under the banner of the 25th Zamenhof Days, Saturday’s commemorations included a gathering at the Esperanto creator’s monument in the city center, where flowers were laid in tribute. Esperanto enthusiasts from across the globe attended the celebration, which also featured a Catholic mass conducted in Zamenof’s language.
Białystok’s deputy mayor Rafał Rudnicki praised Zamenhof’s enduring legacy, singling out his efforts to unite people of different nationalities, faiths, and backgrounds.
“Zamenhof sought to create a world without borders or divisions,” Rudnicki said.
Despite spending much of his adult life in Warsaw, his legacy continues to resonate in Białystok, which remains a hub for Esperanto culture and education.
Held under the banner of the 25th Zamenhof Days, Saturday’s commemorations included a gathering at the Esperanto creator’s monument in the city center, where flowers were laid in tribute. Esperanto enthusiasts from across the globe attended the celebration, which also featured a Catholic mass conducted in Zamenof’s language.
Białystok’s deputy mayor Rafał Rudnicki praised Zamenhof’s enduring legacy, singling out his efforts to unite people of different nationalities, faiths, and backgrounds.
“Zamenhof sought to create a world without borders or divisions,” Rudnicki said.
Despite spending much of his adult life in Warsaw, his legacy continues to resonate in Białystok, which remains a hub for Esperanto culture and education.
Zamenhof’s influence extends globally, with over 1,000 places named after him or the language he created. While the number of active Esperanto users worldwide is uncertain, estimates suggest that up to two million people can speak the language at varying levels of fluency.
Esperanto, influenced by Romance and Germanic languages, has a gentle sound and is easy to learn due to similarities with English, French, German, and Spanish. It boasts a rich literature of over 25,000 books, including originals and translations.
The 25th Białystok Zamenhof Days will conclude on Sunday, with concerts and film screenings showcasing the spirit of Esperanto.
Esperanto, influenced by Romance and Germanic languages, has a gentle sound and is easy to learn due to similarities with English, French, German, and Spanish. It boasts a rich literature of over 25,000 books, including originals and translations.
The 25th Białystok Zamenhof Days will conclude on Sunday, with concerts and film screenings showcasing the spirit of Esperanto.
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