The people of Greece and lovers of the language are marking its official global celebration on the first ever ‘World Greek Language Day’.
It follows a unanimous decision by the 90 member states of UNESCO to recognise the universal cultural significance of the Greek language, which has profoundly shaped philosophy, science, literature, and the arts throughout human history.
Greece’s national poet Dionysios Solomos is also being honoured on 9 February.
Greek, is one of the identifying elements of Modern Hellenism, along with the country’s main Orthodox religion and its traditions.
To mark the occasion, several government ministers around Europe have taken to social media. The Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias posted on X: “It is proof of the historical continuity of the nation, “carrying” in its words Homer, Plato, Thucydides, Byzantine hymns, folk songs, the struggles of the 21st century, Seferis, Elytis, etc.”
“On a World Day which has been established to coincide with the Dionysios Solomos Memorial Day, we cannot but remember the question of our national poet in his “Dialogues” (1824): ‘I understand; do you want to talk about language; I have nothing else in mind but freedom and language’,” concluded the Minister of National Defence.
“It is with a sense of responsibility and pride that we officially commemorate, for the first time this year, on 9 February, the World Day of the Greek Language,” Greece’s Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said in a message.
The value of Greek
Various Italian and Spanish writers have spoken to spoke to the Athens News Agency about the value of the Greek language, expressing their admiration for it.
Elena D’Ambrozo Navone, author of “The Nights of Kos” said: “The Greek language is a source that crosses the centuries. In every word there is the breath of the Aegean, the courage to question existence itself. In my book, tradition is an echo of a living presence, the islands, the light, the memories transform the Greek language into an emotional experience, like an inner homeland. Its future can only continue to be bright. As long as one writes, loves and dreams in Greek, this language will never cease to be reborn.”
Sentiments shared by Francesco Neri, director of the Italian Institute in Athens, himself a connoisseur of the Greek language and an avid admirer of Modern Greek literature.
“Like thousands of Italians, I started learning ancient Greek at the Liceo Classico at the age of 14 and I can say that since then I have never given up. My love for ancient civilization then awakened in me the desire to get to know modern Greece and its language,” he said.
“The study of Greek in Italy as a compulsory course in Classical Lyceums is an excellent opportunity to come into contact with the priceless heritage of antiquity, but it also stimulates interest and sympathy for today’s Greeks and their country. The fact that Italy is the country in the world where ancient Greek is studied more than anywhere else enriches the relations of all kinds between our two countries and makes them, in a way, special,” added Neri.
The Catalans’ love of Greek
Spain, and especially the Catalonia region, boasts deep roots with Greece through the Empuries, the ancient Greek colony on its Mediterranean coast.
The eminent Greek scholar, translator of Cavafy and corresponding member of the Academy of Athens,Eusebi Ayens Pratt said : “The Spanish State (and Catalonia in particular) is historically a country that has produced great Hellenists.
Focusing only on Catalonia, names such as Carles Riba (the first translator of Cavafy into Catalan), Josep Alsina or Alexis-Eudald Solà are among the leading European Hellenists of the last century. In the universities, there are important schools for the teaching of mainly ancient Greek – which most commonly serve as a prelude to the new Greek language – as well as schools of modern Greek literature.
Greece and Europe’s heritage
Romania’s President Nicusor Dan was also fulsome in his praise of Greece’s impact on Europe’s cultural heritage and its role in confirming Romania’s identity as a modern, democratic European state.
“The Greek language has been the foundation on which the philosophy, sciences, arts and political concepts that underpin modern democracies have developed. It has shaped our thinking about the freedom and dignity of every citizen, respect for law and conscience, and the responsibility of societies to work together in the service of the common good, peace and prosperity.
At the present juncture, when democracies are being tested by the resurgence of extremism and the crisis of values, it becomes even more urgent to reflect on the humanist heritage of Europe, which has been transmitted from generation to generation through the Greek language and the great figures of the Greek people.”