Sydney to Host First UNESCO World Greek Language Day

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Sydney to Host First UNESCO-Recognised World Greek Language Day Celebration

ManTV News February 3, 2026 0 Comments

Sydney will host its first official celebration of World Greek Language Day on Monday, 9 February 2026, marking a historic milestone following UNESCO’s recognition of the Day in November 2025. The landmark event will take place at the University of Sydney’s Refectory and is being jointly presented by the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney and the University’s Department of Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies.

World Greek Language Day, now formally proclaimed by UNESCO, honours one of the world’s oldest living languages and its profound contribution to philosophy, democracy, science, education and global culture. Celebrated annually on 9 February, the Day also coincides with the commemoration of Greek national poet Dionysios Solomos, author of the “Hymn to Liberty,” which became Greece’s national anthem.

The evening program in Sydney will open with a welcome reception, followed by official greetings from the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Giorgos Skemperis, and Professor Avril Alba, Head of the School of Languages and Cultures at the University of Sydney. A central feature of the event will be the presentation of awards to HSC top achievers in Modern Greek courses, highlighting the ongoing commitment of young Australian students to Greek language studies.

Professor Vrasidas Karalis, Chair of the Department of Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies, will deliver the keynote address, reflecting on the cultural, literary and philosophical legacy of the Greek language and its place in the contemporary world. His remarks are expected to emphasise how Greek has shaped key concepts in politics, ethics, science and the arts, and continues to resonate in modern multicultural societies such as Australia.

The cultural program will also include a live musical performance of “Erotokritos,” the iconic 17th-century Cretan poetic work, performed by the Cretan band IXO NYX. The performance aims to showcase the enduring vitality of Greek language through music and oral tradition, connecting audiences to centuries-old storytelling that still speaks to contemporary experiences.

A panel discussion moderated by Professor Karalis will bring together prominent Greek-Australian figures, including actress, author and speaker Mary Coustas and entrepreneur Mark Bouris AM, to explore the role of language in identity, communication and cultural continuity. The conversation will look at how Greek language and heritage are maintained across generations in the diaspora, and how language strengthens community ties in a multicultural nation like Australia.

The evening will be hosted by journalist Tom Skolarikis and digital creator Kalliopi Roditis, underscoring the strong engagement of both traditional media and new digital platforms in promoting Greek language and culture. Organisers say the event is not only a celebration for Greek-Australians, but an open invitation to the wider community to engage with a language that has helped shape global thought for more than three millennia.

UNESCO’s decision at its 43rd General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to designate 9 February as World Greek Language Day formally acknowledges the universal cultural significance of Greek. The move followed a multi-year diplomatic effort by Greece, supported by numerous member states, to recognise the Greek language’s unique contribution to humanity’s intellectual and cultural heritage. In Australia, the federal government has also committed to recognising World Greek Language Day, highlighting the deep historical and contemporary ties between the two countries and the contribution of the Greek diaspora.

For Sydney’s Greek community and friends of Hellenic culture, this first UNESCO-recognised celebration represents a new chapter in acknowledging the language that underpins so much of Western vocabulary, scientific terminology and political discourse. It also reinforces the role of educational institutions and community organisations in keeping the Greek language alive for future generations in Australia and around the world.

Event details (for broadcast lower-thirds and web listing)