Over 260 million people speak Portuguese on all the continents

The 4th most used language in the world is currently spoken by more than 260 million people on the five continents. The United Nations estimates that in less than 30 years, Portuguese will be spoken by 400 million people. 

Considering this context, the fact that it is already the most spoken language in the Southern hemisphere, that it is the official language of nine Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries and Macau and, for instance, the fact that it is the fifth language with the most internet users, the World Portuguese Day is celebrated on 5 May in the four corners of the globe, following a decision taken in November 2019 at the 40th UNESCO General Assembly. 

This day is therefore an opportunity to place Portuguese language on the different global agendas, whether cultural, academic, diplomatic, or even economic, staking its strategic importance. There will be close to 150 activities this Thursday on a global scale, of which we note the celebrations in the various Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries’ organisations, associations, or institutions. In Portugal, the Camões – Institute for Cooperation and Language is hosting a commemorative event for World Portuguese Language Day at the National Theatre and Dance Museum in Lisbon, where the "Saramaghian Women" exhibition is on display, for the centenary of the Portuguese Nobel prize winner, Saramago. In addition, the winners of the 3rd edition of the World Portuguese Language Day competition will be announced, a partnership between Camões Institute, Porto Editora publisher and the National Reading Plan. In addition, a poetry anthology with 70 Portuguese poets will be launched, as well as a new volume of the Camões review.  

The existence of this day "reflects the international acknowledgement of its great value and potential, being one of the greatest strategic assets of the countries that share it", underlined the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the message to be shared on this day, which is now celebrated in a closer manner, after the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic in the last two years.