Council of Europe Recap

Despite efforts, further measures are needed in Austria to strengthen the minority languages covered by the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML), according to a report published today by the Expert Committee that monitors Charter adherence.

The Charter – which had entered into force in Austria in 2001 – covers the following minority languages in Austria: Burgenland-Croatian, Czech, Hungarian, Romani, Slovak and Slovenian. The report evaluates progress on the recommendations “for immediate action” since the adoption in 2023 of a comprehensive “fifth round” appraisal.

The report acknowledges the steps taken: from updated curricula for Hungarian and Croatian in bilingual schools, to online bilingual German-Slovenian forms among other examples. But the new report includes further measures for the Austrian authorities to take into account when implementing the recommendations “for immediate action”:

• Work with representatives of Burgenland-Croatian and Hungarian speakers to develop a strategy to tackle a lack of enough teachers.
• Strengthen the use of Burgenland-Croatian and Slovenian in administration in practice, including in the publication of documents, by providing technical and financial support to the relevant authorities and continuing to improve the language competence of staff, among others.
• Introduce “structurally secured” funding for the Komenský School, which provides bilingual German-Czech and German-Slovak education.
• Increase the frequency and duration of Hungarian language television programmes.
• Ensure the structural integration of Romani across all levels of education.

Further steps are also needed to implement the broad recommendation to “promote awareness throughout the country” for all the applicable languages and their respective cultures “as an integral part of the cultural heritage in Austria in mainstream education an in the media.”

During a special ceremony held on 7 April 2025 in the chamber of the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg, the 2025 Council of Europe Museum Prize was awarded to Euskararen Etxea, the House of Basque Language, in Bilbao, Spain. The award was announced last December by PACE’s Culture Committee.

Congratulating the winning museum, the PACE President praised its contribution to democratic resilience and inclusiveness: “The Euskararen Etxea offers a powerful and unique perspective on Europe and European identity, seen through the lens of a minority language. It carries a strong message of hope for the future.”

He described the museum as “a grassroots initiative with inter-generational activities to promote the revival, transmission and use of the Basque language,” adding that it provides “a collaborative working space for local associations and individuals to develop projects to promote the language and related activities”.

Expressing her thanks, the museum’s Director, Iurdana Acasuso, said: “Today I stand happily in the hemicycle of the Parliamentary Assembly, and I share with you the pride of showing the Basque language to the world once again.”

The Council of Europe Museum Prize has been awarded annually since 1977 to a museum judged to have made a significant contribution to the understanding of European cultural heritage, the promotion of respect for human rights and democracy, bridging cultures, overcoming social and political borders, broadening visitors’ knowledge and understanding of contemporary societal issues and exploring ideas of democratic citizenship.

The prize forms part of the European Museum of the Year Awards. Recent winners of the prize include the Sybir Memorial Museum in Bialystok, Poland (2024), the Workers Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark (2023) and Nano Nagle Place in Cork, Ireland (2022).

As part of the Council of Europe’s Opre Roma! month, dedicated to Roma history, language, and culture, Romáland was performed at the Maillon Theatre in Strasbourg from 2 to 4 April, with the premiere being held on 2 April. The storytelling of Roma from Greece was made possible under the collaboration between the Council of Europe, Onassis Foundation and Maillon Theatre.

Romáland, directed by Anestis Azas and Prodromos Tsinikoris, offers a powerful portrayal of the Roma community’s status in society, addressing themes of exclusion, stigmatisation, and cultural resilience. Through its storytelling, the performance relays the voice of the Roma community, inviting the audience to reflect on their ongoing struggles and contribution to the European societies. The event highlighted the significance of Opre Roma! month, a time to reflect on the history, language and culture, and ongoing struggles of the Roma community.

You can watch the theatre play here.