Press Release

TWO EVENTS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL GREEK LANGUAGE DAY
SPEECH BY THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

On February 9, a glorious ceremony of awarding Greek Language Proficiency Certificates to students took place in a hall of Columbia University in New York in the presence of the Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni, the Consul General of Greece, the parents of the students, distinguished guests mainly from the field of education, such as university professors and teachers, representatives of the Church, as well as Greek American candidates for State and Federal offices.

The event, under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece in New York, was organized by the Coordinating Office for Education in New York and sponsored by Day Elevator & Lift Company.

In her speech at the Columbia University Hall, which was packed with students, parents, teachers, and distinguished guests, the Greek Minister of Tourism underlined the richness and durability of the Greek language over the centuries, adding that it is the oldest language in Europe and the expression of the spirit and culture of the Greek world.

The Greek language has been the quintessence of the European cultural tradition. Many Greek words have penetrated European languages, not only in scientific terminology, but also in everyday life and for this reason learning Greek is an investment in culture as it contributes to cultural exchange, understanding, mutual respect and the richness of ideas. For these reasons, we must all work together to ensure that the Greek language continues to thrive, Mrs. Kefalogianni added.

Also, another special event to award Greek Language Proficiency Certificates to students took place on February 12th at the Consulate General of Greece in New York, in the presence of distinguished guests mainly from the field of education. This event, under the auspices of the Consulate General, was also organized by the Deputy Coordinator of Education, Mrs. Panagiota Pechlivanidi.

Welcoming students, parents and distinguished guests, the Consul General of Greece in New York, Ambassador Dinos Konstantinou stressed that the Greek language is a wonderful and very rich language that has been spoken continuously for the last 4000 years, and has fed many scientific disciplines such as medicine, 70% of whose terminology comes from the Greek language.

The 9th of February is the day dedicated to the Greek language, a fascinating language of which we should be proud, a language that is emerging as an integral and fundamental element of our history and culture that defines our national identity. That is why we must preserve it both in Greece and abroad, both by disseminating it to new generations so that they can maintain their links with Greece, and through the Departments of Greek Studies at Universities, which are of key importance and aim to disseminate Greek culture. For this reason, we must do everything possible to ensure that the Greek language remains alive in the Hellenism of the diaspora, the Consul General concluded. 

Afterwards, as at the Columbia University event, the officials and teachers presented the students with their Greek Language Proficiency Certificates.