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30 September: what is celebrated today
30 September is not just another date on the calendar. It is a day that invites us to reflect on freedom of expression, the power of language, and new forms of communication. From commemorating translators who build bridges between cultures, to defending the right to dissent and celebrating podcasts as a growing digital medium, this day brings together different perspectives on how we communicate and share the world.
Día Internacional de la Traducción
Since 1991, the Federación Internacional de la Traducción (FIT) has celebrated Día Internacional de la Traducción every 30 September. This occasion aims to recognise the value of translators and interpreters, professionals who make understanding between peoples and cultures possible in an increasingly globalised world.
The date pays tribute to San Jerónimo de Estridón, patron saint of translators, renowned for his monumental work translating the Bible from Hebrew into Latin and Greek.
Día Internacional del Derecho a la Blasfemia
On the same day, Día Internacional del Derecho a la Blasfemia is also observed, promoted by the US organisation Center for Inquiry. Its purpose is to defend individuals' freedom to express, even in a critical or irreverent way, their opinions about religions.
The word “blasphemy” comes from Greek and means “to insult”. While in some countries this act may be considered a serious crime, in others it is claimed as a right linked to freedom of expression. The occasion recalls, among other events, the controversy that arose in 2005 in Denmark after the publication of cartoons of Muhammad, which sparked a major international debate about the limits of religious criticism.
Día Internacional del Podcast
In a world where new technologies set the pace of communication, Día Internacional del Podcast celebrates the rise of this digital format. Created in 2014 by Steve Lee, founder of Modern Life Network, it began as a “Día Nacional del Podcast” in Estados Unidos, with a six-hour broadcast, and soon became a global event.
Today, thousands of podcasters around the world share their stories, interviews, research, and reflections in this format that combines intimacy, flexibility, and wide reach.
Día Mundial de la Leche Escolar: a glass full of future
The last Wednesday of September pays tribute to a food as simple as it is powerful: milk. Día Mundial de la Leche Escolar, promoted by the FAO since 2000, reminds us that this basic resource is essential for the physical and cognitive growth of millions of children.
School programmes in more than 60 countries offer milk daily, helping to reduce malnutrition, improve learning, and ensure a better future for those who need it most. A simple glass can make the difference between exclusion and opportunity.
30 September reminds us that communication takes many forms: translation that unites, criticism that questions, and digital innovation that amplifies. All, in the end, share the same thread: the human need to express and share ideas.