In Naples, where Greek Language Day has been celebrated for a decade, a major anniversary event is being held this year in collaboration with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
February 9th, death anniversary of our national poet Dionysios Solomos, was declared by the Hellenic Parliament, in 2017, as International Day Greek Language, in recognition of the poet, who had nothing in mind but the language and freedom of his homeland.
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 and has fought with real fervor in collaboration with the classical high schools and the Greek Community of Naples and Calabria, who pioneered this effort.
In Naples, therefore, which this year marks 2.500 years since its foundation, and where the Day of the Greek Language has been celebrated for a decade, a major anniversary event is being held this year in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece as part of its actions to strengthen Greek learning and support the chairs of Greek Studies abroad. Thus, moreover, the traditional ties between Greece and Italy are being strengthened. In the same context, the Greek ministry's cooperation with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, which has always been at the forefront of developing programs for teaching Greek as a foreign language, is also part of the same framework. Moreover, the Body of Professors Emeritus of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens recently dedicated this course as part of its training program. The initiator of the important national project for the Greek language at the University of Athens was the unforgettable colleague linguist Panagiotis Kontos, who was fortunate enough to see the Modern Greek Language School operating in a special building on the Zografou campus.
This year, therefore, an event is being organized at the University of Athens for the International Day of the Greek Language dedicated to the memory of Panagiotis Kontos and his collaborator in life and science, the unforgettable colleague and emeritus professor of Linguistics Dimitra Theofanopoulou-Kontos, and the keynote speaker is Amalia Moser, professor of the Department of Philology, entitled: "The Greek Language, Greece and the Greeks".
It is worth mentioning at this point the assessments of our national linguist, Professor Emeritus Georgios Babiniotis, who spoke in “Vima” about the treasure of the Greek language. “A culture of written speech, which is Greek culture, a culture that stood out and rose to prominence internationally through its texts, that is, through the Greek language, has the right to honor and celebrate its language.
But are we Greeks aware of this linguistic treasure? Do we love, respect and use our language as it deserves? Do we have contact with our “older Greeks” (ancient speech and oral tradition)? Are we happy with the Greek we speak and write? “Greek Language Day” is an opportunity to rethink and reflect on these issues.
These observations by Professor Emeritus G. Babiniotis, I believe, challenge us to realize the value of our language, to respect it and to take actions worthy of the work of those who fought for it.
"They gave me Greek as my language"
the poor house on the sandy beaches of Homer.
My only concern is my language on the sandy beaches of Homer.” (Odysseas Elytis)
Mrs. Stella Priovolou is an emeritus professor, president of the Body of Emeritus Professors of the National University of Athens, and director of the Parnassos Philological Association Schools.
