Grangemoor Park · Cardiff Bay

আন্তর্জাতিক মাতৃভাষা স্মৃতিসৌধ International Mother Language Monument

A public monument in Cardiff Bay honouring every mother tongue, and the students who gave their lives for the right to speak theirs. Open to all, always.

Plan your visit Read the story
The International Mother Language Monument, Cardiff
About the Monument

A heritage for every community, whatever language they speak

The International Mother Language Monument stands as a symbol of respect and tolerance for all cultures — a reminder that every mother tongue carries equal worth and dignity. In a world drawing ever closer together, it acts as a quiet beacon for linguistic diversity and multilingual education.

The monument gives permanent, physical form to the spirit of International Mother Language Day, held each year on 21 February as designated by UNESCO, and serves as Cardiff's gathering point for that day's commemoration.

It stands in Grangemoor Park, a green, open space by Cardiff Bay — freely accessible to residents, visitors and anyone wishing to reflect on the languages that shape who we are.

21 Feb International Mother Language Day, observed annually since 2000
Grangemoor Park Cardiff Bay — open year-round, free to visit
7,000+ languages spoken worldwide, each one worth protecting
Why It Exists

From a protest in Dhaka to a monument in Cardiff Bay

The monument's story begins in 1952, in what was then East Pakistan and is now Bangladesh — and it belongs, today, to every language community in Cardiff.

1952
Students in Dhaka march to demand recognition of Bengali as an official language. On 21 February, police open fire on the demonstrators; several students are killed.
1956
Bengali is recognised as one of Pakistan's official languages, a direct result of the Language Movement sparked by the 1952 killings.
1971
East Pakistan becomes independent Bangladesh after the Liberation War. 21 February is later declared Shaheed Day, a national holiday honouring the language martyrs.
1999
UNESCO proclaims 21 February as International Mother Language Day, honouring the Dhaka students and every community fighting to keep its language alive.
Today
Cardiff's monument, raised by the Bangladeshi community and welcomed by the city, gives that history a permanent home in Wales.
21 February, Every Year

International Mother Language Day

Each year on 21 February, Cardiff's Bangladeshi community and friends from across the city gather at the monument to mark International Mother Language Day — reading, remembrance, flowers laid at the pillars, and conversation about the languages spoken at home.

Every mother tongue lost is a way of seeing the world lost with it. The monument asks visitors to pause and consider the language closest to their own heart.

Plan Your Visit

Everything you need to know before you come

  • Address Grangemoor Park, Cardiff Bay Retail Park, Cardiff, CF11 0JR
  • Access Outdoor monument in a public park — open every day, free to enter, no booking required.
  • Getting there A short walk from Cardiff Bay Retail Park; on-site and nearby retail park parking. Served by Cardiff Bay bus routes; Cardiff Bay rail station is a level walk away.
  • Underfoot Level, paved park paths suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and mobility scooters.
  • Best time to visit Any day, for quiet reflection — or 21 February, for the annual Mother Language Day gathering.
  • Photography Welcome. Please treat the monument and other visitors with respect.
Grangemoor Park, Cardiff Bay

Get directions

Cardiff Bay Retail Park, Cardiff, CF11 0JR

Open in Google Maps
Supported By

Patrons

The monument is supported by patrons who share its commitment to linguistic diversity and community heritage in Cardiff.

Patron
Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK
Patron
Julie Morgan
Former Member of the Senedd, Cardiff North
With Thanks

Donors

The monument exists because of the generosity of the individuals and organisations below, who gave their time, money and support to see it built and maintained.

Founder Members & Trustees 12
  • Anwar Ali — Chairman
  • Mohammed Sarul Islam — Deputy Chairman
  • Md Mokis Miah (Monsur) — Secretary
  • Anhar Miah — Treasurer
  • Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury
  • Mohammed Mujib
  • Saiful Alam
  • Asad Miah
  • Md Shamim Ahmed
  • Sofique Miah
  • Mohammed Abdul Salam Miah
  • Abdul Latif Kawsar
Life Members 29
  • Rt Hon Rhodri Morgan AC/AM
  • Sultan Mahmud Shariff
  • Ahmed Us Samad JP
  • Cllr Dilwar Ali
  • Abdul Murshed
  • Abdul Nasir Wahab
  • Abdur Rahman Mona
  • Abul Kalam Mumin
  • Afzal Khan (Mitu)
  • Asad Miah
  • Ashraf Hossain (Alhaj)
  • Birmingham Multipurpose Centre
  • Cardiff Jubo League
  • Dr Muhammad Siraj Ali
  • Enam-Ul-Haque Chowdhury
  • Fozlu Miah
  • Hazi Shofique Uddin
  • Jahir Ullah (Ana Miah)
  • Koys Hussain
  • Alhaj Ahad Miah
  • Md Abdul Hannan
  • Md Muzibur Rahman
  • Nurul Alam
  • Rabin Paul
  • Rofique Chowdhury
  • Shah Jahan
  • Shah Shafee
  • Siraj Khan
  • Sivapalan & Co Accountants
Members & Friends of IMLM 90+

Including individuals, community organisations, and the schools, colleges and universities that have supported IMLM.

  • Her Excellency Sheikh Rehana Siddique
  • Dr Dipu Moni MP/AS
  • Julie Morgan MS
  • Rt Hon Alun Michael, JP, PCC for S Wales
  • Cllr Dilwar Ali
  • Cllr Iona Gordon
  • Ross Wilson
  • Ahmed Ali
  • Dr Ahmeda Ali
  • Masudah Ali
  • Nadiya Islam
  • Shahan Halal Food Store
  • Islam Uddin
  • Abdur Rouf Talukdar
  • Muhibur Rahman
  • Prof Tozammul Khan
  • Muhammad Fazlul Haque
  • Robi Khan
  • Mohammed Kazad Uddin
  • Abdul Boshor
  • Mohammed Saiam
  • Mahmood Hussain
  • Amirul Haque (Bablu)
  • Muktar Ahmed
  • Alhaj Lilu Miah
  • Iqbal Ahmed
  • Syed S S Haque (Ranu)
  • Alhaj Siraj Ali
  • Alhaj Firuz Ali
  • Cllr Saddak Miah
  • Alhaj Suruk Miah
  • Ahmed Sheikh Sumon
  • Alhaj Ankar Miah
  • Abdur Rouf
  • Mohammed Abdul Ahad
  • Mohammed Arosh Ali
  • Mustakim Ahmed Sunny
  • Babur Chowdhury
  • John Allen
  • Mohammed Abdul Sofan
  • Mahbobur Rahman
  • Shiekh Md Jaheed Jabbar
  • Sheikh Jasmine Nahar Jaheed
  • GMB Union Cardiff
  • Ahad Miah (Abdul Khalique)
  • Liakoth Ali
  • Abdul Motalib
  • Nazmul Islam Sumon
  • Somrul Hoque
  • Syed Aklakul Ambia Rabel
  • Kamrul Islam
  • Khayrul Alam Linkon
  • Sadik Ahmed Kadir
  • Sheikh Sumon Tarafdar
  • Abdul Karim
  • Women Connect First
  • Jason Russell
  • Mohammed Abdul Wahid
  • Derek Price
  • A Ullah
  • Sheful Islam
  • Gabalfa Primary School
  • Ysgol Glan Ceubal Primary School
  • The Cathedral School, Llandaff
  • Tongwynlais Primary School
  • St Philip Evans RC Primary School
  • Radnor Primary School
  • Cardiff and Vale College
  • Ysgol Mynydd Bychan Primary School
  • Pencaerau Primary School
  • Coed Glas Primary School
  • Mount Stuart Primary School
  • Ysgol Pencae Primary School
  • Kings Monkton School
  • Lansdowne Primary School
  • Radyr Primary School
  • St Cyres School
  • Llanishen High School
  • Crwys Primary School
  • Cathays High School
  • St Peter's RC School
  • St Paul's RC Primary School
  • Ninian Park Primary School
  • Ton Yr Ywen Primary School
  • Whitchurch Primary School
  • Cardiff Shahjalal Bangla School
  • Kitchener Primary School
  • Cardiff University
  • IUBAT — International University of Business, Agriculture & Technology, Dhaka
  • Commonwealth Business & Investment Council, Wales

View the IMLM donor plaques (PDF) →