The 2009 Radio Day of European Cultures, organized bi-annually by the EBU Radio and Prix Europa and the European Commission, took place on 18 October 2009 and was dedicated to the richness of languages in Europe.

Languages are the basis of our cultures and of our daily lives, but most of them do not travel, they stay at home, within their regions or countries. Languages seldom cross borders, they are themselves borders. But the only successful road to Europe leads to a continent of neighbours knowing and understanding each other.

Radio has the power to cope with that - being borderless, boundless, fast and direct, being the unique medium for many-to-many-communication.

Three major music events were offered for broadcast on this year’s Radio Day: 

• Live from Oslo and its magnificent new Opera House the final concert of the Let the Peoples Sing competition – via Euroradio and thanks to NRK;
• Live from Berlin the opening concert of Prix Europa of the French world music Babylon Circus band – via Euroradio and thanks to ARD;
• Music selection of world music, jazz and chanson, announced in the language of the offering country – pink offer by ARD/SR.   

Leonard Orban is the EU Commissioner for Multilingualism. The Radio Day of European Cultures stood under his patronage in 2009, and with this message, he extended a warm greeting to all the listeners who were listening to a programme to celebrate the multiple languages in Europe.

To download the radio message used on 18 October, click here. 

A special address from the Council of Europe was made available to broadcast on Radio day.  

EBU Radio Department Director Raina Konstantinova spoke at the press conference for the opening of the Radio Day of European Cultures.