Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed UNESCO’s decision to designate February 9 as “World Greek Language Day”, calling it a landmark achievement for Greece’s cultural diplomacy.
The UNESCO Executive Board officially approved the annual observance on Monday, recognizing the enduring influence and historical importance of the Greek language.
“The whole world will now celebrate, each year, the very language through which the values of the nation that gave birth to democracy, and laid the foundations of philosophy and science, have been transmitted across centuries,” Mitsotakis said on Tuesday.
He added that Greeks around the globe are justifiably proud: “Greeks, far and wide, welcome with heartfelt joy the designation of February 9 as ‘World Greek Language Day’ by UNESCO. This is a success of our cultural diplomacy and a testament to the timeless, international appeal of the language of Homer.”
Mitsotakis went on to highlight the symbolic importance of the chosen date: “The joint decision by 88 nations to mark this day on the anniversary of the death of our national poet fills us with double pride.”
The decision was also hailed by the Greek Foreign Ministry and Greek party leaders.
February 9 was chosen to honor Dionysios Solomos, the Corfu-born poet who penned the “Hymn to Liberty”, Greece’s national anthem. Solomos died on that date in 1857. The day was initially designated as “International Greek Language Day” by the Greek Parliament in 2018.
