Greeks around the world,
Friends of Greece,
I am deeply moved because today we are not just celebrating World Greek Language Day. Today’s celebration is the first since the official proclamation of February 9 as World Greek Language Day by UNESCO.
The Greek language is not merely a means of communication. It is a living vessel of ideas, values, and culture, with an uninterrupted history spanning over more than four thousand years.
For centuries, it served as a lingua franca of knowledge, philosophy, and science—the language of Homer and Aristotle, of the Gospels, of the Renaissance, and the Enlightenment.
Words of Greek origin are not connected only to the past; they embody universal values that continue to guide human coexistence to this day.
The establishment of February 9th as the World Greek Language Day by UNESCO marks a milestone for Greece and constitutes international recognition of its timeless contribution to global civilization.
This achievement is the culmination of a long-standing diplomatic and cultural effort led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in close coordination with Greece’s Permanent Representation to UNESCO, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education.
This initiative was wholeheartedly supported by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, whose vision of a modern, outward-looking Greece provided the political momentum that decisively contributed to its successful completion.
This accomplishment is collective in nature. It brings together institutions, academics, and at this point, I would like to especially acknowledge the participation of Professors Korinthios, Babiniotis, and Klairis, and the Greek diaspora around a shared vision, demonstrating how culture and public diplomacy can work hand in hand.
February 9th is dedicated to Dionysios Solomos, Greece’s national poet and composer of our national anthem. Through this choice of date, UNESCO recognizes the Greek language as a heritage of freedom and a source of creativity for all peoples.
It acknowledges that the Greek language belongs to humanity and continues to inspire, unite, and guide global culture into the future.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports the promotion of Greek language by placing it at the core of its Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad for the period 2024–2027.
For example, in this context, over the past year, support for Greek Chairs and Greek Studies programs increased significantly, with further reinforcement planned for 2026.
We expanded scholarships for foreign students and members of the Greek diaspora who wish to study in Greece. Throughout the past year, we implemented hosting programs, thematic initiatives, and Greek language programs for children, youth, and senior members of the diaspora from dozens of countries, aiming to strengthen their bond with Greece.
Last year, for the second consecutive year, we organized the Global Youth Diaspora Symposium, which brought young members of the Greek diaspora closer to their place of origin and their mother tongue. It was deeply moving to see participants from the firstsymposium, who did not speak Greek at the time, return for the second, now speaking our language.
I wish to assure you that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to actively support initiatives that strengthen Greek language learning through the increase of the number of scholarships and through the hosting programs.
Dear Greeks, we are all proud that February 9th is now officially inscribed in the Global Cultural Calendar as World Greek Language Day. And we should all feel even prouder, as the Greek language continues to travel, to inspire, and to unite generations of Greeks around the world.
Thank you very much.
TAGS: GREEK LANGUAGE
