The international recognition of the Greek language by UNESCO was celebrated in Thessaloniki, with academics, government and local authorities' representatives gathering inside the city's iconic Rotunda building to mark World Greek Language Day and reflect on its global significance.
This year marks the first time the language has been formally acknowledged within the organisation's framework of globally significant languages, placing it among "the eight most important languages on the planet".
Leading Greek linguist George Babiniotis set the tone of the evening, describing the international celebration as an honour and a reminder of the language's enduring value. "It is a source of pride for the Greek language to be celebrated internationally," he said, adding that the recognition offers "an opportunity and motivation for us to realise its value".
He highlighted the continuity of Greek as a spoken language for roughly four millennia and stressed its intellectual influence across fields such as philosophy, science, and the arts. Citing the English saying, he remarked that "the Greeks have a word for it," pointing to the linguistic precision that has historically enabled complex ideas to be articulated and preserved.
Looking ahead, Babiniotis argued that a key future goal should be the reintroduction of classical languages into secondary education across Europe. Without reconnecting with the foundations of European civilisation, he warned, societies risk remaining "in a confusion of ideas".
Government representatives also traced the diplomatic path leading to the recognition. Deputy foreign minister Giannis Loverdos noted that the decision was adopted unanimously at UNESCO's general assembly in Samarkand, following a proposal by Greece's foreign ministry. The organisation recognised 9 February, the date of the death of national poet Dionysios Solomos, as World Greek Language Day.
