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 and hosted by the Consulate General of Greece in 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 included 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.

The event concluded with a poetry reading in Greek of Cavafy’s Ithaki by the Consul General Mr Skemperis.

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

Melbourne’s historic Capitol Theatre was filled to capacity on Monday, February 9, as the Greek and wider multicultural community gathered to celebrate the official recognition of UNESCO World Greek Language Day.

From the moment doors opened, the sense of anticipation was palpable, with the theatre humming with conversation, reunion and pride.

In addition to the full house, thousands more joined a waiting list, reflecting extraordinary demand for the celebration. More than 2,000 expressions of interest were recorded, with the venue capped at 600 seats – a powerful indicator of the hunger for cultural connection through language.

The free event demonstrated a resurgence of public interest for a language that has shaped global thought for over three millennia and remains the bedrock of modern law, science, art, and philosophy.

Throughout the evening, Greek was not only celebrated but spoken, heard and felt – dominating the spoken word and anchoring the program with authenticity and depth.

Greek as a living, global force

Co-hosted by lawyer Konstantinos Kalymnios and journalist Helen Kapalos, the program framed Greek not as a heritage relic, but as a contemporary tool for global discourse. The bilingual flow of the evening reinforced Greek as a living language – confident, expressive and fully at home in a modern civic space.

The keynote address by The Hon. Judge Anthe Philippides, former justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland, explored Greek’s enduring influence on Western legal reasoning and the emergence of demokratia.

“The Greek language is not just a means of communication, it is a way of thinking,” Judge Philippides said. “In Greek, for the first time, thought learned how to write itself.”

Musical performances by the intergenerational Eikon Byzantine Choir of Melbourne and the Camerata Chorus of Melbourne led by musical director Andreas Koikas, and Douglas Heywood at the podium. Stavrina Dimitriou and Giannis Spachios were joined by a 12-member ensemble in a performance that culminated into a sing-along and reinforced the bond between Greek language and song.

The audience enthusiastically joined in, singing along to beloved melodies that stirred memory, emotion and shared heritage.

Actors Jeremy Artis and Katerina Poutachidou from Creative Drama and Arts wowed the audience with their unique rendition of Dionysis Solomos’ Hymn to Freedom. Their performance brought the poetic power of Greek into sharp relief, earning sustained applause.

Dr Dimitris Gonis and Betty Exindaras gave a measured a narration from Odysseas Elytis’ Nobel Prize acceptance speech, highlighting language as a defence against forgetting. The reading resonated deeply, drawing a stillness across the theatre that underscored the gravity of language as memory and resistance.

A grassroots success story

In a significant display of community self-reliance, the event was organised in less than three months, including a break over the Christmas–New Year period, by a grassroots committee representing local Greek schools and organisations such as the Australian Institute of Macedonian Studies (AIMS).

The scale, polish and emotional impact of the evening stood in stark contrast to the limited timeframe, underscoring the extraordinary commitment behind the scenes. The organising committee, comprising volunteers with extensive experience in events management, education, and community leadership, was chaired by Professor Anastasios Tamis and delivered the event without government funding or institutional sponsorship.

Multiple speakers and contributors openly acknowledged that Professor Tamis’ vision, leadership and tireless drive were instrumental to the event’s success, with many noting that without his stewardship, the inaugural celebration may not have been possible.

“The response shows what is possible when participation is driven by belief rather than obligation,” Professor Tamis said.

This intergenerational momentum was further amplified by the National Union of Greek Australian Students (NUGAS), who co-organised the event. NUGAS Co-President Demi Bourdopoulos, described the event as a milestone acknowledgement of the Greek language as a living, evolving presence in Australia.

“Being part of the planning of this inaugural celebration has been an incredible honour, marking a historic moment that recognises the language’s global legacy and its living presence within our community today,” Demi said.

The strong student presence reinforced the message that Greek is not confined to the past, but actively carried forward by younger generations.

Awards and cultural impact

The Philhellenism Excellence Awards were presented to three distinguished scholars for their lifelong contributions to Hellenic studies and education:

• Professor Dr Jennifer Webb (Cypriot archaeology and classical scholarship).
• Arthur McDevitt (Ancient Greek poetry and intercultural research).
• Professor Dr Michael John Osborne (Leadership in Greek-language education and research).

The awards segment was met with warm applause, recognising scholarship as a vital pillar in sustaining Greek language and culture.

Broad diplomatic and civic representation

The guest list reflected Greek’s global reach and enduring appeal among Greeks and Philhellenes, with representation from government, diplomacy, local government, education, community organisations and media. The diversity of attendees affirmed Greek as a shared cultural inheritance extending well beyond ethnic boundaries.

Attendees included Victorian Minister The Hon. Enver Erdogan MP; former Premier The Hon. Ted Baillieu AO; Lee Tarlamis MP; Vivien Ngu, Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission; former MPs Jenny Mikakos, Theo Theophanous and John Pandazopoulos; and former Australian Ambassador to Greece Jenny Bloomfield.

Diplomatic and consular representatives attended from Fiji, Bhutan, Latvia and Paraguay, alongside mayors and councillors from across Melbourne. Community, cultural and education leaders were represented by the Greek Community of Melbourne, the Federal Hellenic Lawyers Association, the Hellenic Medical Society Association, the Hellenic Museum, Pharos Alliance, and the education sector.

Media outlets present included SBS, The Greek Herald celebrating its centenary this year, Neos Kosmos, Ta Nea, Apolis, Channel 31 and 3XY Radio. The breadth of coverage reflected the event’s significance as both a cultural and civic milestone.

Looking ahead to 2027

The committee has officially opened submissions for World Greek Language Day 2027, inviting educators, artists, and sponsors to join the volunteer-led effort by contacting admin2@worldgreeklanguageday.au. Following the success of this inaugural Melbourne celebration, expectations are already high for future editions.

For more information, visit About Us – World Greek Language Day

Sydney’s largest Greek cultural event is returning on 15 February 2026, with the Greek Summer Festival once again bringing a slice of the Hellenic Republic to Carrs Bush Park in the city’s south.

The festival is expected to attract around 40,000 visitors, offering a full day of traditional food, music, dance, and community celebration by the water’s edge.

With more than 110 stalls, the park will be filled with the aromas of freshly grilled souvlaki, homemade loukoumades, traditional sweets, and delicacies passed down through generations.

The park will be buzzing from morning until evening with live Greek live music, dance, and cultural performances. Musicians and singers will perform traditional songs, while dance groups from across Sydney showcase island dances and other long-loved traditions.

Families and young visitors will have plenty to enjoy, with amusement rides, a Ferris wheel by the water, face painting, games, children’s entertainment, and open spaces for families to relax. As the sun sets, the festival will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over the waterfront.

Event Details

• When: Sunday 15th February 2026
• Time: 10am – 9 pm
• Where: Carss Bush Park, Carss Park, NSW
• Entry: Free for the whole family
• Parking: Convenient onsite parking available

The Greek community played a standout role at the National Multicultural Festival in Canberra, with food, music, dance and youth volunteering taking centre stage across a rain-soaked but vibrant three-day celebration from Friday, February 6 to Sunday, February 8.

Despite challenging weather, organisers estimate more than 400,000 people attended the festival, with the Greek precinct – informally dubbed the “Hellenic Highway” – among the busiest areas throughout the weekend.

The Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra & Districts, alongside the Cyprus Community of Canberra and ACT and Canberra Olympic Football Club, operated neighbouring stalls at the corner of Petrie Place and Bunda Street, offering a traditional spread of loukoumades, souvlakia, lamb plates, halloumi, Greek coffee and frappe.

One of the defining features of this year’s Greek presence was the scale of volunteer involvement, particularly among young people. More than 50 youth volunteers – some as young as 12 – contributed across all three days, assisting with food service and fundraising efforts in support of the local Greek Orthodox church and Greek school.

Greek Community President John Loukadellis praised the unity and dedication shown by volunteers, describing the weekend as a collective community effort that reflected the spirit of Hellenism in Australia.

Funds raised from loukoumades sales will be directed towards St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Canberra and the Greek School of Canberra, supporting the commencement of the new academic year.

A major highlight came on Sunday afternoon with the Greek Glendi at the Garema Place Stage, which drew large crowds for an energetic program of live Greek music, traditional dancing and audience participation. The event was hosted by MC Yianni Lazarou, with performances by the Canberra Hellenic Dancers and popular features including the loukoumades eating competition.

Community organisers said the Glendi captured the essence of Greek culture, showcasing music, dance, food, kefi and philotimo to festivalgoers from across Australia’s multicultural capital.

Organisers added that the strong turnout reaffirmed the enduring appeal of Greek culture within Canberra’s multicultural landscape, with plans already underway for next year’s festival.