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Program of the 11th International Summer University in Boston announced

The Greek Herald
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Program of the 11th International Summer University in Boston announced

Journalists from more than 50 media outlets in Greece and the Greek diaspora, university researchers from 25 universities from around the world and leading artists and intellectuals will be present at the 11th International Summer University “Greek Language, Culture and Media” from May 24-29 at the Maliotis Cultural Center of Holy Cross in Boston.

This year’s event bears the special title: ” Diaspora mass media: Challenges and prospects for the Greek language and culture “. The program, which will be offered free of charge, will focus on the expatriate media and their contribution to the dissemination of the Greek language and culture, and is set to evolve into a global expatriate media forum, as owners, directors and representatives of newspapers, broadcasters, news websites from Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa and Australia will participate.

The International Summer University will also host an exhibition of sketches by 3 distinguished Greek cartoonists, Elias Makris, Andreas Petroulakis, Stathis Stavropoulos, a Greek “convoy” that will start from the University of Ioannina and will cross the Atlantic to address the diaspora.

The programme will be presented at a special event at the Benaki Museum in Athens, on Tuesday 29 April at 7 pm. In addition, a volume of the proceedings of last year’s event for the dissemination of the Greek linguistic heritage in the Diaspora is being published by “Kappa Ekdotiki”.

This collective publication will be presented at the Benaki Museum, as well as at one of the largest museums in the United States, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, with the collaboration of the Behrakis Wing, which includes immersive performances of ancient Greek temple. Details:

The organisers

The 11th International Summer University is organized by the Laboratory for the Study of Social Issues, Media and Education, Department of Early Childhood Education, School of Education, University of Ioannina and the Maliotis Cultural Center of Hellenic College Holy Cross, Boston and with the participation of the Department of Hellenic Education of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Greek Applied Linguistics Association, the Athens and Macedonian News Agency, Study in Greece, the Center for Hellenic Studies at the University of Chicago, Fondazione Vexillum and the Hellenic Association of Political Scientists. It will take place at the Maliotis Cultural Center in Brookline and will be implemented through the Center for Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning of the University of Ioannina.

Under the auspices of the Hellenic Parliament & with the support of the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad & Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The International Summer University “Hellenic Language, Culture and Media” is under the auspices of the Hellenic Parliament, as well as under the auspices and with the support of the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Secretary General of Hellenism Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Mrs. Myra Myrogianni, will participate with a speech. The programme has been included in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ strategic plan for Hellenism Abroad (2024-2027). Kasimatis, Vice-Chairman of the Committee, and Stylianos Petsas.

The presence of Deputy Secretary of State of the United States and the Archbishop of America

According to information, on Thursday, May 29, the International Summer University will be attended by Michael Rigas, Deputy Secretary of State of the United States, who holds a master’s degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Public Administration of Harvard University and Boston University. Archbishop Elpidophoros, Archbishop of America, will also deliver a speech.

Scientific participants from Africa, Australia, Argentina, Argentina, China

The participation of academics, researchers and PhD students from dozens of universities around the world is impressive. From Europe, PhDs and researchers from the Universities of Paul Valéry-Montpellier III (France), Aix-Marseille (AMU-CNRS) (France), Cambridge (UK), Florence (Italy), Cyprus (Cyprus), Frederick (Cyprus).  From America, entries come from Harvard University, University of Chicago, Hellenic College Holy Cross, Brown, Boston University. In addition, academics from the University of New South Wales in Australia, An Hui University in China and Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia are participating. From Greece, participants come from the Universities of Ioannina, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Harokopio University, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, National Technical University of Athens, Democritus University of Thrace, University of Thessaly, University of Piraeus, University of Peloponnese, Hellenic Open University, Panteion University. Especially from the University of Ioannina, many academics will participate with the delegation headed by the Rector, Professor Anna Batistatou.

Global Forum of Diaspora Media

The event is supported by ERT, ERT 2, ERT 3, ERT WORLD, the First Programme 105,8 and the Voice of Greece, as well as the Parliament Channel. Communication sponsors are also Real FM, Real News, and real.gr, as well as ATHENS VOICE and CNN GREECE. The Greek Service of Deutsche Welle is participating as a communication sponsor.

The following media outlets are also participating as communication sponsors: the Orthodox Observer News, the National Herald in the USA, Hellenic News of America, Greek News Usa, Cosmos Philly. Greek – American News from Philadelphia, The Panhellenic Post, the daily national publication Greek Herald and the newspaper Neos Kosmos from Australia, the Greek Public Radio of New York COSMOS FM, H W Media Group from Austria (homogeneous websites https://hephaestuswien.com /, https://pyramisnews.gr and the Greek-language radio in Austria, Hephaestus Radio ). Pyramis News is addressed to the homogeneity of Africa and the Arab States.

Communication sponsors are also the following expatriate media: Kallimera Massalia in France, WNTN Radio-1550 AM/Grecian Echoes in Boston, Hellenic Radio from Bedfordview, Johannesburg, the South African expatriate radio station “New Panhellenic Voice”, the newspaper “Eleftheria” London, 2mm Radio, Sydney, Darwin, Wollongong, the website “Echoes” Central and South Africa, NEWSVILLE in Belgium etc.

In addition, BCI MEDIA GROUP (Broadcast Canadian & International TV – Radio Network and Telecommunication) is participating in the 11th International Summer University from Canada, specifically with the global digital television NETV Toronto and NETV Europe, the news platform BCI 24 Nes Network and the subscription digital platform GoSMART TV PLUS.

From Egypt, the “Alexandrian Postman” – Branch of the Greek Community of Alexandria and the “Lighthouse of the Greek Community of Alexandria” and the Greek community of Cairo which publishes the newspaper “Neo Phos” are participating.

The Greek Diaspora of France – Diaspora grecque en France also participates. Newer participants added to the programme are Active News Uk (UK), e-enimerosi (Germany), Balkan Radio Strimonika (Sofia, Bulgaria), Radio SDW (Sofia), “Satellite Munich” (Germany).  In addition, the president of the Greek Cultural Organization Nostos of Argentina, with collaborations in the radio stations Argentina and Splendid, as well as in internet television on the Latin American channel TV Mundo Digital, is also involved. Communication sponsors are also the Association of Greek Press Correspondents Abroad, Europolitis – The Greek Newspaper in Europe – DIE GRIECHISCHE ZEITUNG IN EUROPA in Germany, NGTV – New Greek Television in New York and Greek City Times. Added is the Panhellenic Federation of Florida with the show “Panhellenic news” on the American Tan Talk Radio.

Roundtables, visits to Consulates, MFA, Harvard

The programme includes round tables with journalists from the expatriate media (per continent) and from many Greek media, keynote speeches, workshops, a special session with young researchers, as well as a round table on Greek excellence and medical achievements. The cultural programme is also important, including the cartoon exhibition, the participation of the Brussels Greek Choir, a visit to the iconic campus of Harvard University, a reception hosted by the Consulate General of Greece in Boston and a tour of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Bechrakis Wing, courtesy of Mr. Drake Bechrakis, where the volume of the proceedings of the 10th International Summer University will be presented, in the presence of Mons. Archbishop of America Mr. Elpidoforos and the Rector of the University of Ioannina, Professor Anna Batistatou.

Yannis Bezos in the TV spot

The 2025 programme is also promoted through television and radio advertising in Greece and in the Greek and Greek-speaking broadcast media, with the actor and director Mr.Yannis Bezos as the protagonist. The production was undertaken by the film production company Production House, with the directorial supervision of Mr. Panos Manolitsis and his team. The spot here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=852poHqAWkw

The official presentation at the Benaki Museum

The official presentation of the Boston programme will take place on Tuesday 29 April 2025 at 7 p.m. at the Benaki Museum Hall (Vassilissis Sofias and Koumbari). The event will be addressed by Mr. Ioannis Iosif Plakiotakis, First Vice President of the House of Parliament, Archbishop Elpidophoros, Archbishop of America (video greeting), Mrs. Myra Myrogianni, Secretary General of Hellenism & Expatriate Hellenism Public Diplomacy, Mr. Harris Doukas, Mayor of Athens, Mrs. Antonia Moropoulou, Professor Emeritus of Polytechnic University, Member of the Board of the University of Ioannina, Vice President of the Technical Chamber of Greece and Mrs. Katerina Nafplioti Panagopoulou, Ambassador Extraordinary, former Ambassador of Greece to the Council of Europe, President of “Kallipateira”.

Speakers will be Prokopios Pavlopoulos, former President of the Republic, Academician, Honorary Professor of the Law School of the University of Athens, Anna Batistatou, Rector of the University of Ioannina, Yannis Bezos, actor, director, as well as the editors of the proceedings, Mrs. N. Tsitsanoudis Mallidis, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Education of the University of Ioannina, Director of the International Summer University, N. Mathioudakis, Postdoctoral Researcher of the Democritus University of Thrace, member of the SEP of the EAP. Mr. Nikos Trivoulides, Director of Resources & Development of the Benaki Museum, will give the welcome remarks. During the event there will be an award ceremony for Mr. Chrysoula Kourkounti, Executive Director of the Maliotis Cultural Center and Mr. George M. Cantonis, ex-President of Hellenic College Holy Cross, who will travel from America to Greece especially for the event. This will be followed by a musical tribute in the context of the year Mikis Theodorakis by Mrs. Anna Bithikotsis and Mr. Sotiris Doganis. The event will be coordinated by the journalist and director of “Cultural Tetradia” Mr. Kostas Laskaratos.

Project director

Founder and Scientific Coordinator of the Programme is the Professor of Linguistics and Greek Language of the Department of Early Childhood Education of the University of Ioannina, Nikoletta Tsitsanoudis – Mallidis, Dean of the School of Education of the University of Ioannina. The organizing director of the Boston program is the Executive Director of the Maliotis Cultural Center of Hellenic College Holy Cross, Mrs. Chrysoula Kourkounti.

Information: https://summerschool.ac.uoi.gr

Hellenic Writer’s Association of Australia hold student literary competition

The Greek Herald
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Hellenic Writer’s Association of Australia hold student literary competition

The Hellenic Writers’ Association of Australia has announced its annual Student Literary Competition, titled “From Greece to the World”, as part of the “Speak Greek in March” campaign. The competition is under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece in Melbourne.

The 2025 theme is: “Greek institutions, customs and traditions in the Antipodes.”

The aim of the competition is to encourage students, with the support of their educators, to reflect on and express their thoughts and emotions regarding the preservation of Greek customs, values, and traditions in Australia.

Entries may draw from personal experiences of community celebrations and festivals, individuals who have played a role in upholding Greek traditions, or memorable events that highlight the richness of Hellenic culture in the diaspora.

Each entry must include at least three of the following words or their derivatives: celebration, tradition, dance, music, festival, friend, grandfather, grandmother, family, table, food, memory.

Eligibility

The competition is open to primary, secondary and senior school students across Australia, who may participate individually or in teams of up to three students.

Genres accepted:

  • Prose
  • Fairytale
  • Historical Fairytale
  • Short Story
  • Poem

All works must be:

  • Original compositions by the students
  • Written in Greek
  • Submitted in Word format via email

Entry Categories

  • Category A: Primary School Students
  • Category B: Lower Secondary School Students
  • Category C: Senior Secondary School Students

Each category will have one winner, who will receive a cash prize. All participants will be awarded a certificate of participation.

Winning entries and participating schools will be officially announced in the media, and the selected works will be published in the 2026 edition of “Logos”, the annual magazine of the Association. The awards ceremony will take place at a public event hosted by the Association.

Submission Deadline: Friday, 27 June 2025

Submissions must include the following details:

  • Student’s full name, age, school, and year level
  • Contact details
  • Chosen literary genre

For submissions and enquiries, please email hellenicwritersau@gmail.com with the subject line: “Student Literary Competition”.

Athens university develops first tool to measure TikTok addiction

The Greek Herald
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Athens university develops first tool to measure TikTok addiction

A research team from the University of Athens has created the world’s first tool specifically designed to assess addiction to TikTok, according to ekathimerini.com.

The TikTok Addiction Scale (TTAS) consists of 15 questions that evaluate six aspects of problematic use: preoccupation, mood changes, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict, and relapse. Participants rate statements on a scale from “very rarely” to “very often.” A score above 3.2 indicates excessive use, suggesting the need for a professional evaluation.

TikTok has become one of the most widely used social media platforms, with 20% of the global population holding accounts. In Greece, the app has 3.5 million users, 33% of whom are under 25. Around 42% of users spend 2-4 hours per day on the platform, while 38% exceed four hours.

The TTAS is available online for research and educational purposes but is not intended for formal diagnosis.

Source: ekathimerini.com

Restoration of Thessaloniki’s Hamza Bey Mosque to be completed by 2026

The Greek Herald
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Restoration of Thessaloniki’s Hamza Bey Mosque to be completed by 2026

Thessaloniki’s historic Hamza Bey Mosque, commonly known as the Alkazar, is set to be handed over to the city early next year, according to Culture Minister Lina Mendoni during an inspection of the ongoing restoration work, ekathimerini.com has reported.

The €11 million restoration project is funded by the Recovery and Resilience Fund and is being carried out by the Ministry of Culture’s Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments Restoration Department in collaboration with Thessaloniki’s antiquities ephorate.

Due to extensive wear, modifications, and past interventions, the restoration of this significant monument, the oldest Ottoman mosque in Thessaloniki, presents a complex and demanding challenge.

“Over the past six years, we have implemented projects and initiatives in Thessaloniki totaling more than €100 million from EU and national funds. This reflects our commitment to preserving the city’s rich heritage,” Mendoni stated.

Built in 1467 by Hafse Hatun, daughter of military commander Hamza Bey, the mosque is situated at the intersection of Egnatia and Venizelou streets. For decades, its peristyle courtyard was home to the Alkazar cinema, a name still deeply embedded in the city’s collective memory.

The mosque was officially designated as a historical and archaeological monument in 1926.

Source: ekathimerini.com

Maria Konstantina Andrianopoulou creates map to showcase rich heritage of Greek islands

Evelyn Karatzas
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Maria Konstantina Andrianopoulou creates map to showcase rich heritage of Greek islands

Introducing Maria Konstantina Andrianopoulou, the Greek author and researcher from Athens, Greece with a passion for Greek history. Maria recently spoke with The Greek Herald to reveal her latest project – a comprehensive map developed to showcase two significant Greek islands.

“It is a bilingual map, both in Greek and English, and records over 2900 toponyms,” Maria told The Greek Herald.

“The map serves as a cultural and historical record, which documents significant dates and individuals who have shaped the history of Karpathos and Kasos.

“Its purpose is to ensure that these names are not forgotten over time, and to remind us of the islands’ linguistic heritage.”

What does the map feature?

Maria shared that her map not only features the two Greek islands, but their surrounding rocky islets, as well as some significant names in Karpathos’ and Kasos’ history.

“The map also includes mountain heights and sea depths of the islands, and an ancient silver coin of Karpathos,” she said.

“As well as this, I have depicted the names of heroes of this time including Markos Malliarakis and Hatzilias Economou, as well as the two local saints of the island – Saint John of Karpathos and Saint Kassiani.”

Some of the other details carefully depicted on the map include the Kasos Holocaust, the historic naval battle off the coast of Karpathos, and the Byzantine emperor Nikephoros Phokas’ fleet that expelled Saracen pirates from the islet of Saria.

“The map aims to preserve and highlight the unique legacy of Karpathos and Kasos for future generations,” Maria added.

The influence and the map-making process

Maria said she initially decided to create the map as she saw a lack in maps and information about Kasos and Karpathos.

“I was inspired by the historic map created by Rigas Feraios, who played a pivotal role in the Greek War of Independence,” she said.

“I then wanted to create my own map, as I had never seen anyone do anything like it in Greece before.”

Maria said she began making the map during the summer of 2022 and completed it in August 2023.

“I did a lot of research to begin with and not only about the toponyms, but about the history, the culture, the religion and the geographical locations,” Maria said.

“It was not an easy process either. Although I did enjoy it, I also found it very difficult, because you have to check and double check all your information and the placements and be very careful.”

The mastermind behind the map shared how it felt to see her work be completed after many months of hard work.

“I’m very happy that I have finished it,” Maria said.

She added that she entered her map in UNESCO’s European Cultural Contest, Europa Nostra Awards and made it all the way through to the second stage.

Maria’s plans for the future

Maria revealed what she hopes to achieve from creating her map.

“I now hope to publish it, so many people will have the opportunity to have this map and learn more about Kasos and Karpathos,” she said.

“I would then love to see it be used in schools in the future, as this map serves both a visual and educational tool. I also hope it inspires local authorities and cultural organisations to actively engage in the preservation of the two islands’ history.

“The map captures the essence of these islands, and by documenting these toponyms and the stories behind them, it ensures that future generations can learn about them and appreciate their roots.”

Maria said she hopes to publish her map sometime next year.

New Greek food memoir celebrates three generations of women and 54 years of Yarraville history

The Greek Herald
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New Greek food memoir celebrates three generations of women and 54 years of Yarraville history

In the heart of Yarraville, where the aroma of traditional Greek cuisine has wafted through the streets since 1971, Eleftheria ‘Thierry’ Amanatidis unveils her debut book, Ela na Fáme! (“Come and
Eat”) – a captivating blend of recipes and stories that celebrates the powerful lineage of women who built a Melbourne food dynasty.

With the growing popularity of food memoirs and a resurgence in Greek cuisine, Ela na Fáme arrives at the perfect moment for food lovers and home cooks alike. More than a recipe collection, it brings together over five decades of family stories, paying tribute to three generations of strong-willed Greek women who transformed food into a language of love, resilience, and cultural identity.

“This book is more than just recipes – it’s my life,” says Thierry. “It’s the story of my Greek heritage, my love for my family, and my deep gratitude for the three extraordinary women who shaped not just my life, but the food and culture of an entire community.”

Eleftheria and Eleni

Raised by her mother Parthena and two yiayias (grandmothers), Eleni and Eleftheria, Thierry has carried their strength and passion into her own career as the co-owner and driving force behind three thriving
hospitality businesses in the inner-western Melbourne suburb of Yarraville.

Eleni’s Kitchen + Bar, named after Thierry’s yiayia Eleni, made history as Yarraville’s first Greek restaurant when it opened in 1971. Known for its warm hospitality, high-quality produce and authentic Greek cuisine, the kitchen is helmed by Thierry’s mentor, acclaimed Greek chef Christos Katopodis, who spent 16 years as head chef at Jim’s Greek Tavern. In 2024, a devastating fire forced the restaurant to close for four months, but it returned stronger than ever, reclaiming its place as a Melbourne icon.

Next door is Jimmy’s Deli, a tribute to Thierry’s pappou (grandfather) and home to Melbourne’s legendary half-kilo “New Yorker” pastrami sandwich; and Cakes by Thierry, which showcases Thierry’s artistic and culinary talents through custom cakes and traditional Greek sweets.

Ela na Fáme! shares cherished family recipes that are accessible to home cooks of all levels, organised into Meze (appetisers), Mains and Sweets. Beyond familiar classics like spanakopita and moussaka, readers will discover northern Greek delicacies like gemista (stuffed capsicum and tomatoes) and lamb kleftiko (“stolen lamb”, cooked in individual parcels with vegetables). For dessert lovers, there’s plenty to try – including Thierry’s personal favourite, rizogalo (rice pudding).

Each recipe comes to life through personal anecdotes that transport readers to the bustling family kitchens of Thierry’s childhood, where she and her sister Natalie learned to cook from their yiayias. Rich with photographs, family stories and characteristic Greek humour, the book paints an intimate portrait of an immigrant family whose food became their identity.

Yarraville itself emerges as a character in this narrative – the setting where multiple generations of Thierry’s family established cafés, restaurants, and even a butcher shop, creating a hospitality legacy that continues to flourish. “Ela na Fáme! isn’t just about Greek food,” says Thierry. “Every family, regardless of background, understands how food connects us to our past and nourishes our future – it’s a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries.” Ela na Fáme! will be available online and in-store at Eleni’s Kitchen + Bar and Jimmy’s Deli from 17 April 2025, with national shipping available.

Preorders open 20 March 2025 via www.eleniskitchen.com.au/cookbook

How can I support my child’s Greek language learning at home?

The Greek Herald
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How can I support my child’s Greek language learning at home?

By Professor Joseph Lo Bianco*

Good news!

Many parents ask this question, and the short answer is that there is a lot you can do. Even if you or your partner, or both of you, or even if no one in your immediate circle is confident and fluent in Greek, you can still support and encourage your child’s Greek language skills, interest and attitudes. I will describe some ways to do this below and extend these tips in later articles.

The first thing to keep in mind is that your attitude as much as the language input, makes a big difference. The second point to make is that the suggestions below are the fruit of a lot of research from across the world. Some of the suggestions might seem simple or obvious, but they are all the outcome of careful thinking and study.

English and bilingualism

It is important to keep in mind that however much time you devote to Greek at home your child is likely to be dominant in English. That is the reality of Australia; although we are a multicultural and multilingual society, English is the common and shared language and dominates most aspects of life here. This means that no amount of effort or time you devote to Greek at home will detract from your child’s knowledge of English. This makes Greek ‘additive’, you are extending and adding to their skills, talents, abilities and cultural horizons, and it is this attitude that you need to instil in your child as well.

However, promoting Greek at home in an English dominated society is working against what we call language shift, the tendency of language loss across the generations. Children feel the pressure to belong to peer groups and you need to keep this in mind and foster a desire in them to identify as a bilingual Greek Australians, proud of their Greek heritage and seeing Greek language knowledge as a key part of this heritage. When you are promoting Greek at home you are promoting bilingualism.

What are some practical ways to support Greek language at home?

I will set out some principles first, and then some specific suggestions and then what I call the family language plan.

Principles

To achieve the best results, you need consistency, frequency and positivity. Research shows that with small children predictability is central to learning. In practice this means that children will expect that at a certain time of day, or in a certain activity, or with a certain person, they will be hearing Greek and expected to use Greek in reply.

Praising and encouraging your children to value and use Greek naturally is important, as is the idea that they will hear the language in a natural way. You will need to create events, settings or situations in which Greek is the normal and expected language and your children will get used to the fact that they will be addressed in Greek and are expected to at least understand it, and over time to reply in Greek.

Three approaches

Greek language needs to have a consistent, predictable and regular presence in your daily life. A useful way to think about it is that Greek needs to be associated with a person, a place or an activity, on a regular basis, every week, and preferably every day.

  1. Person

If only one parent speaks Greek, then they should be the regular user of Greek in the home, for as much of the day as possible. This is called the One Person One Language (OPOL) model. OPOL was first devised in Belgium in the early 20th century and has been the subject of a lot of research. There are many variations, but the simplest way to do it is as follows: parent A uses Greek to all the children and to their partner all the time and parent B uses English.

If both parents speak Greek and you want to create a full immersion in the language at home this is of course ideal, however it is also useful in this case to create a family language plan, so the children know what’s expected. OPOL can be varied to include babysitters, elderly relatives, friends and neighbours, older siblings, and so on but the basic principle is that there is extended long term use of one language for all needs and communication in the home.

You don’t have to be rigid or inflexible; there are many occasions or situations in which it might be necessary to break the OPOL pattern, but what research has found is that this should be discussed with the children as a temporary deviation from the family language plan. Because the other parent is using English (in some cases it might be a different language, say Spanish) so the reality is that everyone develops multilingual listening and reading skills, but a sharpened focus on Greek with at least one parent.

The parent using Greek should aim to vary the subject of what they discuss with the child, and occasionally you can even introduce (not teach) new words or expressions, to help the child participate actively in conversation. The focus should also be regular normal conversation, doing what is normally done at home.

2. Place

A version of OPOL is place or location. We can call this OLOL, one location one language. This might be a room in the house and all the activities that occur in that room, and ideally both parents use only Greek, and the children agree in advance to do so. If you vary the activities and what is discussed the range of language input can be enriched, otherwise the location shapes what language the children hear, and this might over time become too narrow.

Like OPOL this approach of having a room or setting or other place devoted to Greek will need to be frequent and regular so it becomes predictable to children, especially small children, and should be enjoyable and use multimedia materials. It could be a TV room and be planned for a certain time every day or every two days and marked in different ways. In some bilingual families small children do this by what they wear, maybe a hat, or by other family specific routines.

3. Activity or Time

The third main way is activity or time centred, such as mealtimes, TV watching, sport, visits or bedtime routines. With activity and time-based Greek support it is also important that these are varied, so that different topics are discussed, and you can use the OPOL method, or everyone becomes an equal learner/user for those activities.

Getting started

Different methods will suit different your families and you can vary these, but what is a key thing to do is to discuss and agree on the strategy, and this is done by a family language plan. You can make it very informal; some families have found that making it semi-official, like a family conference in which children and adults agree on strategies, and roles etc. can be useful.

A contract might involve: We will try to use Greek and only Greek on Thursdays. If we run out of words, we hold up the card that says ΠΟΙΑ ΕΙΝΑΙ Η ΛΕΞΗ ΣΤΑ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ; and try to not use English. But if we do use English occasionally that is not a drama.

Families have shared rules and arrangements, and the family language contract quickly becomes like brushing teeth, putting on seatbelts, sitting down for meals at set times, whatever rules your family has adopted. The reason this helps is because it asks children to participate in decision making, to feel they are being listened to and that the commitment to support Greek is shared by all, even by the English-speaking parent in OPOL. One commitment that works in many families is that older children become ‘champions’ for the language, and agree to help younger ones, and to review and think about how the contract is working every so often.

At Pharos we run regular seminars for parents titled Raising Bilingual Children. You are very welcome to join our next seminar on Sunday 8 June, 1:30pm-5:30pm. It is free of charge.

*Joseph Lo Bianco is Professor of Language and Literacy Education at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education. He is also the President of Pharos Alliance, dedicated to preserving Greek language in Australia.

Do you have a question you would like the Pharos Alliance to answer, send your query to editor@foreignlanguage.com.au.

How to get Greek citizenship, for Greeks living abroad

The Greek Herald
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How to get Greek citizenship, for Greeks living abroad

By Anastasia C. Miliou, Attorney at the Supreme Court*

The roots of the Greek family are deep and transcend time. Second and third generation Greeks born abroad keep the customs and tradition of Greece and even speak the Greek language, but this doesn’t mean that Greek citizenship is a matter of course.

The way in which someone can get Greek citizenship isn’t very difficult, but neither is it widely known.

We can begin by finding the last ancestor born anywhere in Greece whose birth certificate can be traced. If the ancestor is a father or a mother, then the process is very easy. If the ancestor is a grandfather or great-grandfather, then the search can go as far back as there is a birth certificate.

If we have a birth certificate, then we can proceed to gather the rest of the paperwork needed. For instance, if the grandfather was the ancestor born in Greece then it is necessary to find the religious marriage certificate of that relative (if he is male we need the marriage to be orthodox religious, if  she is female the marriage must not be orthodox religious), regardless as to whether the marriage took place in Greece or abroad, followed by the birth certificate and marriage certificate of the parent whose lineage is Greek followed by the citizenship applicant’s own birth certificate.

The documents need to be in their original forms, officially translated in to Greek. The applicants need to sign a series of documents required for Greek citizenship at the embassy of their place of residence. All the documents are then gathered and sent to the region where the Greek ancestor lived. From there, an act certifying Greek nationality status is sent with a file to the relevant municipality for enrolment. As soon as the applicant is enrolled at the Municipality, Greek citizenship and a passport become a matter of course.

Minors automatically receive citizenship parallel to the parent who has a right to it. If they become of age they need to submit a different application.

If any certificate is missing there is the way of naturalization but in that case the applicant will be interviewed at some point by the Council in Greek language and he/she must know about Greek history and the present political, financial and social situation in the country. This procedure takes more time but the final result is the same.

Anastasia C. Miliou is an Attorney at Law at the Supreme Courts with experience in international law and a large clientele in both Greece and abroad. Her telephone number is 6945028153. If you would like questions answered as part of her articles in English online, you can e-mail her at natmil@otenet.gr or visit www.legalaction.gr

Dr Tina Bucuvalas to give online seminar on Greek music in America

The Greek Herald
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Dr Tina Bucuvalas to give online seminar on Greek music in America

Greece developed a rich array of traditional, popular, and art music, which diasporic Greeks took with them. In Greek American communities, music has been an essential component – linking the past to the present, the distant to the near, and bonding members with an embrace of memories and narratives.

Between 1896 and 1942, an estimated 2,000 recordings were made in America, and thousands have since appeared. They encompass traditional music from all regions, and emerging urban genres, stylistic changes, and songs of social commentary. 

This talk profiles the scope, practice, and development of Greek music in America with attention to its relationship to ethnic identity.

BIO

Dr Tina Bucuvalas is Director of Florida Cultural Resources, Inc., the President of the Greektown Preservation & Heritage Association and has held various curator roles over the years in Florida.

Dr Bucuvalas is the author, co-author, or editor of Greek Music in America (2019), Greeks in Tarpon Springs (2016), The Florida Folklife Reader (2011), Just Above the Water: Florida Folk Art (2004), and South Florida Folklife (1994). She is currently working on an ethnohistorical book about the largely Greek-led international sponge trade.

She also has published dozens of essays and curated many exhibits.  Bucuvalas conducted extensive fieldwork over several decades with most groups in Florida, as well as with Native Americans in Arizona; ranchers in Wyoming; various groups in Maine, California, New Jersey; Isthmus Zapotec in Mexico; and sponge workers in Cuba, the Bahamas, Greece, Australia, and Turkey. She holds a PhD in Folklore from Indiana University and an MA in Folklore & Mythology from UCLA.

Event Details:

  • When: Thursday 10 April 2025, 7pm (8am UK time, 10am Athens time, 4am New York time)
  • Speaker: Dr Tina Bucuvalas
  • Seminar: Greek Music in America
  • Where: Online – Facebook/YouTube
  • Language: English
  • Sponsors: Anthi Sidiropoulos in Memory of Michael Harris

Greek Community of Melbourne schools offer Easter workshops for children

The Greek Herald
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Greek Community of Melbourne schools offer Easter workshops for children

During the Easter holidays, the schools of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) have organised a fun and creative program for children aged 4-10 years old.

This program combines tradition with creativity, offering children a unique opportunity to experience the magic of this great celebration.

The program will take place at three different locations and on different days:

  • Thursday, April 10 – Balwyn North Campus: Belle Vue PS, 20 Highview Rd, Balwyn North
  • Monday, April 14 – Huntingdale Campus: Huntingdale Hall, Germain St, Oakleigh South
  • Wednesday, April 16 – Greek Centre (CBD): 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Participants can choose to attend either the full six-hour program (9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) or a three-hour session (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.).

The workshop includes reading Easter stories, learning traditional Easter songs, cooking traditional Easter treats, and engaging in creative crafts and hands-on activities.

The program aims to combine learning, fun, and creativity while bringing children closer to Greek Easter traditions and folklore. Through this experience, children will develop both emotionally and creatively.

For more information and to reserve a spot, visit the website Easter Workshop for Children! | Greek Community of Melbourne or call the central offices at (03) 9662 2722.

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