Sydney made global history on Monday, February 9, becoming the first city in the world to officially celebrate World Greek Language Day, following UNESCO’s formal recognition of the day late last year.
Held at the University of Sydney, the landmark event brought together diplomats, politicians, academics, educators, students and community leaders for an evening that honoured a language repeatedly described as foundational to civilisation itself.
Opening the night, emcee Tom Skolarikis set the tone with warmth, humour and reflection, telling the audience: “This evening, we in this room will in fact be the first to celebrate not only our Greek language, but its enduring impact on civilisation across the sciences, medicine, the arts and every field of human endeavour.”
He spoke of Greek as a language of remarkable continuity, with “over 40 centuries of oral tradition and 35 centuries of written expression,” noting that few languages can claim such an unbroken dialogue between past and present.
A strong official presence
The significance of the occasion was underscored by the presence of senior political, diplomatic and ecclesiastical figures, including NSW Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos, Consul General of Greece in Sydney George Skemperis, and Archimandrite Father Irineos, representing His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
They were joined by honorary consuls, representatives of Greek Australian community organisations, local council figures, and leaders from Greek Australian educational institutions, creating a cross-section of civic, cultural and generational voices under one roof.
The evening also featured recorded messages from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Ioannis Loverdos, reinforcing the Greek Government’s long-standing commitment to the cultivation and promotion of the Greek language abroad.
‘Sydney is the first city in the world’
In one of the night’s most warmly received moments, Consul General Mr Skemperis reminded attendees of the global first unfolding before them.
“I don’t want to spoil the fun of our friends in Melbourne,” he said with a smile, “but Sydney is the first city in the world to celebrate World Greek Language Day.”
Reflecting on Australia’s geography, he added that while Greeks often describe Australia as “the end of the world,” in reality it is “the beginning of the world – because the day starts here.”
He described Greek as “the only element of our identity that has stayed the same for 3,500 years,” despite changes in religion, political systems and even national self-definition.
Greek language, global legacy
Academic reflections on the Greek language’s reach and influence were led by Professor Giorgia Alu, Deputy Head of the School of Languages and Cultures at the University of Sydney, who described World Greek Language Day as both a celebration and a reminder of responsibility.
“Whether we know Greek or not, we use words like democracy, ethics, biology, cosmos, aesthetics and theatre,” she said, noting that Greek continues to shape the vocabulary of science, politics, art and everyday life.
She reaffirmed the University’s commitment to Modern Greek studies, stressing the vital role of community engagement in sustaining language education in the diaspora.
Celebrating the next generation
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of HSC Greek Language Awards to NSW’s top-performing students for 2025. Kristy Diakou (Greek Beginners), Panagiota Varvaresos (Greek Continuers) and Giorgos Moisidis (Greek Extension) were each recognised for their outstanding achievements, drawing warm applause from the audience.
Presenting the awards, Minister Houssos spoke about the cognitive and cultural value of language learning, noting that it activates parts of the brain that otherwise remain dormant. She also acknowledged the crucial role of families, remarking that students’ success is rarely achieved without parental sacrifice and encouragement.
Language as a living system
The evening’s keynote address by Professor Vrasidas Karalis, Chair of Sir Nicholas Laurantos in Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies at the University of Sydney, offered a deeper philosophical lens. He urged the audience to move beyond celebratory rhetoric and see language as something lived rather than preserved.
“Languages are life forms,” he said. “They are not simply tools for communication. They are ways of living, ways of relating, ways of being in society.” He warned that every language lost represents a lost worldview, placing Greek within a broader global struggle to protect linguistic diversity.
Music as continuity
True to the theme of endurance, music emerged as one of the most powerful carriers of Greek on the night.
The Australian Byzantine Choir, led by George Scoufis, performed hymns written up to 15 centuries ago.
Musicians Angelos Goutzios and Nikos Sousamidis of Iho Nyx brought to life excerpts from Erotokritos, the 17th-century Cretan masterpiece by Vitsenzos Kornaros.
For many in the audience, these moments provided a rare and moving experience of the Greek language heard in its poetic and historical forms.
A thoughtful note
Despite the historic nature of the evening, some attendees quietly noted that a celebration dedicated to the Greek language featured relatively little spoken Greek beyond the musical performances and brief segments.
Given the symbolic weight of hosting the first World Greek Language Day celebration globally, there was a sense that future events could more confidently centre the living language itself – particularly in a diaspora context where spoken Greek continues to face generational decline.
The observation did not diminish the importance of the occasion, but served as a constructive reminder of the responsibility that accompanies recognition.
Identity, humour and lived experience
The evening concluded with a panel discussion on language and identity featuring actress Mary Coustas, entrepreneur and businessman Mark Bouris AM and Professor Karalis.
Coustas reflected on how Greek language and culture shaped her creative voice, saying it “gave me permission to be myself 1,000 per cent,” while Bouris spoke candidly about regret, belonging and the cultural gaps many Greek Australians feel when language slips away, even as food, family and music continue to anchor identity.
A beginning, not an end
As several speakers observed, the fact that World Greek Language Day began in Sydney was both symbolic and fitting. The evening marked not just a historic first, but the opening chapter of what many hope will become a richer and more linguistically confident annual celebration – one that continues to honour Greek not only as the language of civilisation, but as a living voice of the diaspora.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos
