A major development for Hellenism worldwide was announced today in Perth – the final stop of Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdos’ official tour of Australia and New Zealand.
In a video, Loverdos revealed that the Australian Government has confirmed it will formally recognise and support UNESCO’s declaration of February 9 as World Greek Language Day.
The decision marks a significant milestone in celebrating the history, vitality and timeless global influence of the Greek language, while strengthening the bonds of friendship and cultural exchange between Greece and Australia.
“This is a very important day for relations between Greece and Australia and I am delighted that this development took place during this extensive tour through which I had the opportunity to engage with the Greek community here in Australia, as well as with prominent Australian officials,” Loverdos said.
From abstention to endorsement
The announcement follows controversy earlier this year when Australia abstained from voting on the UNESCO resolution establishing World Greek Language Day.
The motion, supported by 87 member states, was unanimously adopted by UNESCO’s Executive Council in April 2025, recognising the Greek language’s enduring contribution to human civilisation.
At the time, Australia’s decision not to vote in favour of the proposal drew strong criticism from Greek community leaders and academics, including Professor Anastasios Tamis, who called it “a disgrace and an insult to Hellenism in Australia.”
Under mounting community pressure, sources from the Albanese Government later clarified that its abstention was due to caretaker conventions in place during the lead-up to the recent federal election, which prohibit Australia from co-sponsoring agenda items or making international commitments during an election period.
Despite the diplomatic nuance, many within the diaspora viewed the abstention as a missed opportunity to acknowledge the Greek language’s historical and cultural significance – both globally and within Australia.
Canberra reaffirms support
At the time, in a statement to The Greek Herald, a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that the government “supports and welcomes” the new international day.
“The Greek language has an enduring influence on contemporary Western culture, politics and philosophy. We value the rich cultural contributions of our vibrant Greek diaspora in Australia and our strong bilateral relationship with Greece,” the statement read.
“We look forward to celebrating this day with Australian Greek communities on 9 February.”
Honouring a global legacy
In Greece, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hailed UNESCO’s designation of World Greek Language Day as a landmark moment for Greek cultural diplomacy.
“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.
The date of February 9 was chosen to commemorate the death of Dionysios Solomos, Greece’s national poet and author of the Hymn to Liberty – the poem that became the Greek national anthem.
The official UNESCO proclamation of World Greek Language Day will take place at the organisation’s 43rd General Conference in November 2025, formally enshrining the Greek language’s status as one of humanity’s most influential and enduring cultural achievements.
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