“Your Eminence,
Eminent representative of the Archbishop of Athens,
Representative of the Head of the main opposition party,
Representative of the President of Movement for Change (KINAL)
Mr. Commissioner,
Madam Deputy Minister,
Mr. Regional Governor,
Secretaries General,
Professors,
Dear Friends,
I would like to thank you for being here at today’s event, which is being held in the context of the yearly celebration of International Greek Language Day, 9 February, the memorial day of our national poet, Dionysios Solomos.
A big thank-you to the Secretary General for Greeks Abroad, professor emeritus Ioannis Chrysoulakis, for his initiative, and to the staff of the Secretariat General for organizing the event.
International Greek Language Day is an invitation to a wondrous journey through time. A journey that encapsulates the lives and experiences, the passions and concerns of our people. Because the fact is, “The Greek Language Inspires,” and the celebration of the Greek language is an occasion for us to promote all of the elements that make up its identity – an attempt to gain self-knowledge, which, in today’s globalized world, is more vital than ever.
But it is also an opportunity for us to point up Hellenism’s ecumenical dimension. Greek is the language the human intellect has used to express itself in its greatest moments, on the most important human issues, the principles, values and ideals that take us through life. Greece is a language of timeless resonance, a language that is always present, always timely.
The establishment of International Greek Language Day was a longstanding request of diaspora Hellenism. The idea originated from the Federation of Hellenic Communities and Brotherhoods of Italy, under its president at the time, Professor Korinthios, who is here with us today. This initiative was supported by the Greek state and embraced from the very outset by Greek communities throughout the world.
A few days ago, I visited the Greek community school of Agios Dimitrios in Astoria, New York, where I was very moved to award Greek language learning certificates to some 150 children. These children are the future of our Diaspora, a precious asset for our Homeland, and we have a duty to support them materially and morally in any way we can.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,
Our language, culture and traditions have always been power multipliers for our country on the international stage.
A few days ago, an article in the press told the story of a young Egyptian woman, blind from birth – Andy El Arabi – who lives in Cairo and speaks perfect Greek, though she has no other connection to Greece. I had the pleasure of meeting her last week in Cairo and congratulating her on her admirable effort. She said, ‘I feel Greece as my second homeland.’ The case of this young Egyptian woman is clear proof that Greece, with its inexhaustible linguistic and intellectual wealth, continues to charm and inspire.
Let’s remember the example of Andy El Arabi, and let it inspire all of us to give the Greek language the attention, care and promotion it deserves. Because our language helps us to ‘enclose Greece in our soul and feel every kind of grandeur.’ Because Greek is the language they gave us, and we have a duty to safeguard it as a precious jewel.
Thank you very much for your attention.”
February 22, 2020