Welcome to the Circle U. Festival of Languages and Cultures!
Organised by CU.mil, the festival will take place from 16 to 20 February 2026 and will celebrate the rich diversity of languages and cultures across Circle U.
The programme features a mix of online and in-person events, including language tasters, conversation cafés, a movie night, workshops, and much more.
Open to the entire Circle U. community, the festival is an invitation to connect, learn, and share — so take a look at the programme below and join us. The more, the merrier!
What can you expect?
Conversation Café
Looking to practice a foreign language in a relaxed setting? Then, join our Conversation Cafés, where students and staff can come together to chat and connect. No pressure—just conversation and community.
Language Taster
Curious about learning a new language? Our Language Taster Sessions give students and staff a fun, low-commitment introduction to a new language. Come curious, leave inspired. No experience required.
A slice of Life at
Thinking about studying abroad in a Circle U. university? Join our Slice of Life sessions given by students from different Circle U. universities and get a first-hand glimpse of university and student life in another country.
... and many activities onsite !
Movie nights, music blind tests, language jams, conversation cafés, and more.
Don’t miss the chance to discover or practise languages in a fun, relaxed and festive way!
Monday 16 February - Online activities
TBC
There are times when we are all at a loss for words, even in our native tongue. Luckily, reading texts aloud can allow us to speak fluently without having to think much about grammar, vocabulary, or content. This session shows you how to use a structured method of reading aloud with a language-tandem partner to improve your pronunciation, speaking confidence, and even writing. Speakers of all languages welcome.
Curious about learning Spanish? Our Language Taster Sessions give students and staff a fun, low-commitment introduction to foreign languages. Come curious, leave inspired. No experience required.
Looking to practice French in a relaxed setting? Then, join our Conversation Café, where students and staff can come together to chat and connect, and speak French. No pressure—just conversation and community.
Zahra Sanaatian (UPCité) and Setayesh Karami (HU Berlin)
Calling all Circle U students, researchers, and staff with Persian as part of their family heritage!
Come to our online networking event for an informal chat to meet others, connect across universities, and share your experiences!
Tuesday 17 February - Online activities
Curious about German? This workshop is your perfect starting point! We'll explore three solid reasons why learning German can be a rewarding experience. Then, we'll jump right into hands-on German with practical small talk questions you can use immediately. Finally, we'll discover some vocabulary that feels like old friends – words that are surprisingly accessible and easy to pick up. No prior knowledge needed – just bring your curiosity! Come join us and see how approachable German can be.
Upcoming
Upcoming
Russian alphabet in a few minutes and discourse formulae in Russian.
How to get into the habit of learning a language independently.
Upcoming
A taste of French language: French for beginners.
Calling all Circle U students, researchers, and staff with Chinese as part of their family heritage! Come to our online networking event for an informal chat to meet others, connect across universities, and share your experiences!
With Xiaofeng Guo (UPCité)
Wednesday 18 February - Online activities
Sometimes we don't need words, sometimes too many...
Curious about learning French? Our Language Taster Sessions give students and staff a fun, low-commitment introduction to foreign languages. Come curious, leave inspired. No experience required.
Looking to practice French in a relaxed setting? Then, join our Conversation Café, where students and staff can come together to chat and connect, and speak French. No pressure—just conversation and community.
"Ciao, sono ..... " Italian for beginners
Curious about learning Japanese? Our Language Taster Sessions give students and staff a fun, low-commitment introduction to foreign languages. Come curious, leave inspired. No experience required.
Thursday 19 February - Online activities
Calling all Circle U. students, researchers, and staff with Turkish as part of their family heritage! Come to our online networking event for an informal chat to meet others, connect across universities, and share your experiences!
With Figen Tekbaş and Canan Kurt, HU Berlin
Looking to practice Serbian in a relaxed setting? Then, join our Conversation Café, where students and staff can come together to chat and connect, and speak Serbian. No pressure—just conversation and community.
Curious about learning Mandarin? Our Language Taster Sessions give students and staff a fun, low-commitment introduction to Serbian. Come curious, leave inspired. No experience required.
Friday 20 February - Online activities
Curious about learning Mandarin? Our Language Taster Sessions give students and staff a fun, low-commitment introduction to foreign languages. Come curious, leave inspired. No experience required.
Curious about learning French? Our Language Taster Sessions give students and staff a fun, low-commitment introduction to French. Come curious, leave inspired. No experience required.
Curious about learning German? Our Language Taster Sessions give students and staff a fun, low-commitment introduction to German. Come curious, leave inspired. No experience required.
Looking to practice French in a relaxed setting? Then, join our Conversation Café, where students and staff can come together to chat and connect, and speak French. No pressure—just conversation and community.
Curious about learning Serbian? Our Language Taster Sessions give students and staff a fun, low-commitment introduction to Serbian. Come curious, leave inspired. No experience required.
Monday 16 February - Onsite activities
Watch The Imitation Game in its original version and take part in a discussion afterwards.
The event will include a short introduction to the film, the screening, and a discussion with participants.
Studio 11, Louvain-la-Neuve
17.00 - 19.00 London Time
Tuesday 17 February - Onsite activities
Looking to practice English in a relaxed setting? Then, join our Conversation Café, where students and staff can come together to chat and connect, and speak English. No pressure—just conversation and community.
Games • Cafés • Calligraphy • Music • Karaoke • Coffee • Sweets
Campus Grands Moulins, Bâtiment Olympes de Gouges, room 240
11:00 - 14:00
Wednesday 18 February - Onsite activities
Discover what Circle U. is and what it has to offer through fun and interactive activities organised by students, for students.
Enjoy sweets and take part in a big contest with great prizes to win: train tickets, campus shop vouchers, and more!
13-00 - 17:00
Learning Center Christine de Pizan, Louvain-la-Neuve
Games • Cafés • Calligraphy • Music • Karaoke • Coffee • Sweets
11:00-14:00, Campus Grands Moulins, Bâtiment Olympes de Gouges, room 240
Thursday 19 February - Onsite activities
Looking to practise Dutch, German or English in a relaxed setting?
Join our multilingual Conversation Café, organised by Babbelkot, where students and staff come together to chat and connect. No pressure — just conversation and community.
A sweet treat and a drink will be offered.
There will also be a cosy reading corner with books available to browse on site, to get inspired and discover new authors.
Games • Cafés • Calligraphy • Try a new language • Karaoke • Coffee • Sweets
11:00-14:00, Campus Malakoff, salle Cartouche
Join us for a fun and inclusive music blind test!
Songs in different languages will be played, in line with the festival’s theme. No expert knowledge needed — everyone is welcome, students and staff alike. All you need is curiosity, a good mood, and the desire to have fun and recharge your energy for the afternoon!
12:00-14:00, Room L, ILV, Louvain-la-Neuve
Curious about learning French? Our Language Taster Sessions give students and staff a fun, low-commitment introduction to French. Come curious, leave inspired. No experience required.
Location TBC
Curious about learning German? Our Language Taster Sessions give students and staff a fun, low-commitment introduction to German. Come curious, leave inspired. No experience required.
Location TBC.
Curious about learning Danish? Our Language Taster Sessions give students and staff a fun, low-commitment introduction to Danish. Come curious, leave inspired. No experience required.
Location TBC
Friday 20 February - Onsite activities
Curious about learning Italian? Our Language Taster Sessions give students and staff a fun, low-commitment introduction to Italian Come curious, leave inspired. No experience required.
Location TBC
Curious about learning Norwegian? Our Language Taster Sessions give students and staff a fun, low-commitment introduction to Norwegian Come curious, leave inspired. No experience required.
Location TBC
