UNSW Languages Festival 2025
Discover Your Voice in Every Language
This year's UNSW Languages Festival will be held on the 24th and 25th of September. Join us to celebrate the diverse languages we teach and speak in the School of Humanities and Languages.
Explore the World Without Leaving Campus!
Wednesday, 24th of September at 12:15pm @ the Library Lawn, UNSW Sydney, Kensington
Join us for an extraordinary multicultural celebration that brings the globe to your doorstep! Experience Korean drumming, Greek melodies, and French soirée vibes alongside German art. Immerse yourself in kimono dressing, Chinese calligraphy, and a global treasure hunt while savouring delicious cuisine from Latin America, Europe and Asia. This isn't just another event – it's your passport to experiencing the beautiful tapestry of global cultures, music, and flavours all in one unforgettable celebration!
12:15–12:30pm – Opening Ceremony @ the Library Lawn
Welcome to Country and Official opening by Humanities and Languages Head of School, Professor Taylor Sherman
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
TOMOKO – JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY & INK ARTIST
Wednesday, 24th of September at 12:30 @ the Library Lawn
Meet master calligrapher Tomoko and witness the magic of Japanese ink art! Watch as she transforms 2m x 4m paper with sweeping brushstrokes, creating magnificent kanji characters before your eyes. Join the interactive experience and learn what your name means in beautiful Japanese calligraphy.
VERSOS DEL FUEGO: A JOURNEY THROUGH LATIN SOUND, DANCE & HISPANIC POETRY
Wednesday, 24th of September at 1pm @ the Library Lawn
This Spanish-language performance is an electrifying fusion of live music, contemporary dance, and poetry—a sensorial experience rooted in Latin American traditions yet boldly pushing artistic boundaries. Chilean-born musician GabzaK blends traditional instruments with electronic beats, while Zulu Australian dancer Sophia Ndaba channels dynamic movement that brings the rhythms and verses to life.
DYAN TAI: LIVE HYPERPOP MUSIC PERFORMANCE
Thursday, 25th of September at 1pm @ the Library Lawn
Dyan Tai, the self-described Gaysian Empress of Sydney, brings a hyperpop performance like no other. Fusing electronic beats with Beijing Opera and traditional Southeast Asian soundscapes, Dyan creates a euphoric, queer-infused musical experience. Trilingual and fearless, Dyan transforms the stage into a mesmerising celebration of culture, sound, and identity. Don't miss this unforgettable, high-energy show!
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
LANGUAGE CAREERS UNLEASHED
Thursday, 25th of September at 5–7pm @ the Teaching Commons, Dalton Building, UNSW Sydney, Kensington
Where Words Meet Worlds: Your Gateway to Global Opportunities
Turn your language passion into career gold! Connect with top employers including DFAT, Canva, Multicultural NSW, KPMG, NAATI, and The Spanish Economic & Trade Commission. Discover exciting paths in diplomacy, tech, translation, and beyond while hearing success stories from alumni who've transformed their linguistic skills into dream careers. Plus, enjoy FREE Spanish paella and networking drinks! Whether you're into interpretation, education, or applying your language expertise in unexpected ways, this event unlocks the incredible potential waiting in your multilingual future.
VR Language Games
Immersive Futures Studio Library (F21), Level 1, Room L177, UNSW Sydney, Kensington
Are you ready to experience a whole new world? Introducing our immersive language experiences! Dive into a lush underwater landscape in VR to learn some vocabulary. Or talk to an AI avatar and learn a bit about languages. Come and experience some of the emerging tech on offer at UNSW!
ENERGY FOR MORE?!
Join artist Anissa Jones for free Dharug language workshops
Wednesday, 24th of September @ UNSW Library - Level 2, room 208
Presented as part of her Yanyiminga muday Ngurrawa / Walk Softly on Country with Me exhibition, these sessions will be on Dharug Dhalang, incorporating basic greetings and words as well as history of the area.
Culture on the Move
Weaving and Language Workshop. Thursday, September 25, 10am–3pm @ UNSW Morven Brown Courtyard
The UNSW Languages Festival and together with the UNSW Diversity Festival invite you to come along for a Weaving and Language Workshop. Join Ronnie Jordan, a Pitta Pitta Wangkamahdla woman and owner of ‘Culture on the Move’ for an Aboriginal cultural knowledge workshop of traditional weaving and yarning.
This workshop is a hands-on experience empowering participants with a sense of connection and the opportunity to learn to connect to the oldest living culture in the world.
FREE Cooking Classes (Spanish and French)
Paella Perfection
Wednesday, 24th of September at 10:00 am @ the Library Lawn
Are you ready to master the art of making authentic and delicious paella? Look no further! Our paella cooking class is the perfect opportunity for you to learn the secrets of the iconic Spanish dish. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn the art of paella cooking while having fun and learning some Spanish sentences.
SOLD OUT
French Crêpes Crafting
Thursday, 25th of September at 10:00 am @ the Library Lawn
Learn how to make French crêpes with our easy and foolproof recipe. Our French crêpes cooking class is the perfect opportunity for you to learn the art of creating these delectable treats while learning some French.
SOLD OUT
A message from the Head of School
Celebrating Linguistic Diversity Through Art, Music and Performance.
"This festival not only highlights all the languages offered at UNSW but serves as a vibrant celebration of linguistic diversity and cultural exchange. By bringing together exceptional artists from different cultural backgrounds, we're creating an immersive environment where the transformative power of language learning comes alive through art, music, performance, and culinary experiences. Learning a language opens up entirely new worlds of possibility – join us to discover your voice in each of them."
– Professor Taylor Sherman, Head of School, School of Humanities & Languages, UNSW
LEARN WITH US
Ready to transform your world?
Research shows that learning a language enhances cognitive function, boosts career prospects, and opens doors to global opportunities. Join our language programs to advance professionally, access exciting exchange programs, connect with diverse communities, and gain deeper cultural understanding – all while having fun!
Explore previous events
