The UNESCO General Assembly has officially ratified a resolution recognising February 9 as International Greek Language Day, marking a significant milestone for Greece’s cultural diplomacy.
Speaking at the session in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni thanked member states for their support, calling the recognition “above all, a celebration of multilingualism.”
Australia was among the co-sponsors of the resolution, underscoring the strong cultural ties between the two nations.
With more than 500,000 Australians of Greek ancestry, the Greek language remains a vibrant part of Australia’s multicultural identity.
In a statement, Australia noted that Greek is the sixth most spoken language in the country and that it looks forward to “joining Greek communities across the nation in celebrating this day and honouring the cultural heritage that connects our nations.”
During her address, Mendoni also reaffirmed Greece’s unwavering stance on the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, urging all UNESCO members to support what she described as a “just and deeply symbolic cause.”
“The Parthenon is a unique monument, a global symbol of democracy and artistic achievement – a heritage that belongs not only to Greece but to all humanity,” she said.
“We firmly believe the Parthenon Sculptures must be reunited in their birthplace, at the Acropolis Museum.”
Mendoni further highlighted Greece’s recent cultural achievements within UNESCO, including the inscription of the Minoan Palatial Centres on the World Heritage List and the nomination of Mount Olympus as a candidate site.
She noted Greece’s continued commitment to protecting cultural heritage and combating the illicit trafficking of cultural goods, referencing the creation of the Greek Red List of Cultural Goods and UNESCO’s Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Goods.
Concluding her remarks, Mendoni thanked outgoing UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay for her leadership and congratulated Khaled El-Enany on his election as successor, expressing confidence in his vision to guide the organisation forward.
