Celebration of the World Greek Language Day

On April 22 the ‘Marilena Laskaridis’ Greek Cultural Center of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) hosted the celebration of World Greek Language Day. On behalf of the Consulate General of Greece in Shanghai, the event was attended by Consul General Spyridon Kritikos, the Head of the Public Diplomacy Office (PDO), and the secretary of the Consulate General.

From SISU, Vice-Director of the School of European and Latin American Studies (SELAS), Mr. Yang Ming, and Associate Professor Hu Jingjing, along with the academic staff and students of the Department of Modern Greek Studies, participated in the event. Academic staff and students from the Departments of Greek Studies at Xi’an International Studies University (XISU) and Jilin International Studies University (JISU) also joined online.

During the event, the Consul General expressed his gratitude to Mr. Yang and Ms. Hu, and the academic staff for their ongoing contributions to the promotion of Greek Studies. In his speech on the importance of the Greek language, the Consul General stated:

“It is a great honor and pleasure to be with you today at a university that promotes the teaching of the Greek language and Greek culture in China, while also strengthening cultural and academic ties between Greece and China.

In 2026, World Greek Language Day was officially celebrated by UNESCO at the international level for the first time. The proclamation, supported by dozens of Member States, recognizes the enduring contribution of the Greek language to global civilization. The day aims to highlight the influence of the Greek language on European and world culture, as well as to promote its teaching and dissemination worldwide.

I encourage all students studying Greek in China to continue their studies with enthusiasm and to take full advantage of the opportunities that knowledge of the Greek language provides. Your engagement with Greek language and culture will be a valuable asset for your academic and professional future.”

The program included, among other activities, speeches by Mr. Yang and Ms. Hu, a video message by the Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, a lecture on the history of the Greek language and a recitation of a poem by Dionysios Solomos, by academics of SISU, and various interactive presentations by students from the three participating universities.

Εορτασμός της Παγκόσμιας Ημέρας της Ελληνικής Γλώσσας
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