Celebration (19.03) of the International Greek Language Day (9.02) at the Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)

On March 19th, the celebration of the International Greek Language Day was held at the Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). On behalf of the Consulate General of Greece in Shanghai, the celebration was attended by the Consul General, Mr. Georgios Partheniou, the Head of the Public Diplomacy Office (PDO), and the secretary of the CG.
The Consul General, in the presence of Professor Wang Jianquan, the dep. Dean of the School of European and Latin American Studies, referred to the close educational and cultural cooperation between China and Greece and also underlined, in this context, the Consulate's well-established support to the Department of Greek Studies. 

The dep. Dean and the academics focused on the historical and cultural importance of the Greek language and thanked the Consul General for the long-term assistance to the SISU academic institution. An interesting and impactful speech was delivered by the dep. Dean of the School of European and Latin American Studies.
In his speech bringing up the impact of the Greek language, addressing the students of the Department of Greek Studies, the Consul General, among others, stated:
"[...] The 9th of February, the anniversary of the remembrance of Greece’s national poet, Dionysios Solomos, was officially designated as International Greek Language Day in 2017. This day serves to highlight the profound role that the Greek language has played throughout history. Solomos, a key figure of modern Hellenism, is best known as the author of Hymn to Liberty, the poem whose first two verses form Greece’s national anthem.
What distinguishes Greek from many other languages is its unparalleled longevity. Spoken for nearly 40 centuries and written for over 35 centuries, it remains one of the world’s most historically documented languages. Despite the natural evolution of its syntax and vocabulary, Greek has maintained a core identity that links the ancient past to the present day. It has survived and flourished through dramatic historical transformations, serving as a bridge between different epochs and civilisations. [...]"

In addition, the representative of the PDO gave a presentation on the philosophical dimension and the ‘devices’ (‘ethos, pathos, and logos’) that the Greek language provides over time.

The program included, among other things, a video screening with the message of the Greek Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Giorgos Kotsiras, as well as speeches by the academic staff and recitation of poems by the students.

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