The initiative to establish a day dedicated to the Greek language began in 2014, inspired by Professor Yannis Korinthios.
Finally, after years of struggle, we succeeded in establishing the day associated with our national poet Dionysios Solomos as World Greek Language Day, since other countries long before us had established a corresponding day. The initiative to establish a day dedicated to the Greek language began in 2014, inspired by Professor Yiannis Korinthios. The Greek professor has been teaching Modern Greek at the University of Oriental Studies of Naples and the University of Calabria since 1979. He fought for years to achieve his goal, and in this effort, the classical high schools and the Greek Community of Naples and Campania mobilized and took the lead.
We have collaborated with Professor G. Korinthios since the beginning of his beautiful struggle, in 2014, and subsequently with professors from Greece and abroad: Professor Georgios Babiniotis (Greece), Professor Christos Clairis (France), Professor Anastasios Tamis (Australia) and Professor Philip Trevezas (USA). The first two professors, in collaboration with the Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Georgios Koumoutsakos, drafted the text of the decision for the International Day of the Greek Language. Professor G. Korinthios was honored for his initiative by the then President of the Republic, Mrs. Ekaterini Sakellaropoulou, and by the “Parnassos” Philological Association.
Such a national success required vision and continuous struggle, and fortunately, both were present. The most serious and difficult stage of approval of the request by UNESCO remained. Greek diplomacy was fortunate to have a Permanent Representative of Greece to UNESCO, Mr. Georgios Koumoutsakos, who, with his tireless efforts, achieved the agreement for the International Day of the Greek Language. His work is admirable, because he made the vision of the university teacher of the Greek diaspora for Greece a reality, and granted a significant, historic success to our country.
Greece is celebrating this year's International Greek Language Day with an official event by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will be honored by the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister, as the keynote speaker, as well as with many other events, and radio and television broadcasts. In Naples, moreover, where the Greek language has been honored for years, an official celebration is being organized by the inspirer of this day, Professor Yannis Korinthios, who will also be the keynote speaker at an event organized by the "Parnassos" Philological Association.
The recognition of our language, however, should no longer be celebrated simply as a historical anniversary. We Greeks must realize its value and importance, love it and not avoid using it, remaining under the naive syndrome of a "weak" language.
Moreover, the Greek state must support the Greek Diaspora, which has contributed effectively to the national effort, and strengthen the Greek studies centers abroad. I remember when I was Special Secretary for Diaspora Education and Intercultural Education under the Minister of Education, Mr. Petros Efthymiou, we had particularly supported these centers, as some had been abolished at an incalculable cost to Greece and its culture.
Unfortunately, the same problem is faced by Greek-language education in schools. In fact, nine European countries, some time ago, sounded the alarm in Greece with a letter, where they highlighted the serious problems that educational units abroad are facing, and proposed solutions. The lack of teachers, the understaffing of structures leads to under-functioning or even suspension of departments, as a result of which Greek children are deprived of the opportunity to learn their language and culture. I believe that now, after the success, to which the Greek Diaspora essentially contributed, this problem will be addressed as a whole.
Aristotle emphasized that “we are what we repeatedly do, for excellence is not an act, but a habit,” implying that success requires continuous action and not one-time victories. This should also apply to the success of World Greek Language Day.
source: TO VIMA
photo Greek Radio FL
