ATHENS – [ANA-MPA]
UNESCO’s Executive Board on Monday unanimously decided to propose that February 9 each year be proclaimed as World Greek Language Day, following an initiative by the Greece’s permanent UNESCO representation.
“This is international recognition of the timelessness, universality and contribution of our language to the cultural heritage of humanity. It is a day of joy and pride,” said Greece’s permanent representative to UNESCO, George Koumoutsakos, speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA).
In its decision, the Executive Board highlighted four important traits of the Greek language, including:
– Its long and unbroken oral tradition spanning 40 centuries and a written tradition spanning 35 centuries, if one counted Linear B, or 28 centuries since the introduction of alphabetic script, which make it the longest-lasting, continuously spoken and written language in Europe.
– Its unique cultivation as a language, in terms of vocabulary, grammar and syntax, due to its use by unmatched historical figures of literature, poetry, theatre, philosophy, politics and science.
– Its extensive presence in many languages, as Greek has been one of the most pervasive languages in terms of its influence on other European languages and, by extension, the languages of the entire world, while it is taught worldwide in both its ancient, medieval and modern forms.
– Greek has been and remains an inexhaustible source of international scientific terminology, especially in medicine, mathematics, STEM sciences, as well as the social sciences and humanities.
The board’s decision noted the role of the Greek language as a “cradle” of key concepts of culture, science and philosophy, which give it a unique place among the world’s languages, its role in the development of a writing system that included vowel sounds and the long history of texts written in Greek.
Based on the above, the board decided to propose February 9 as World Greek Language Day, taking into account that this was the day when Greek national poet Dionysis Solomos died, in 1857.
Commenting on Monday’s decision, Koumoutsakos said: “With the support of Prime Minister [Kyriakos Mitsotakis] and the leadership of the foreign ministry, we launched this effort approximately six months ago, with faith that we could succeed in spite of the many difficulties of the enterprise. Finally, after much systematic and patient work, we submitted the proposal on March 10 with the unprecedented, for equivalent situations in the Organisation, written support of 20 member-states.
“The establishment of a world day of celebration is exceptionally important. Not only for the emphasis that will be given to the Greek language as a world cultural asset. Through well-organised events, Greeks all around the world and many foreigners with Greek education or others will be able to launch or renew their contact and relationship with the Greek language through the ages.”
