In a landmark move, UNESCO’s Executive Board has unanimously proposed the designation of February 9 as World Greek Language Day, following an initiative by Greece’s Permanent Delegation to the organization. The date was chosen in honor of Dionysios Solomos, Greece’s national poet, who passed away on this day in 1857.
“This is international recognition of the Greek language’s timeless significance, universality, and its immense contribution to the world’s cultural heritage,” said Giorgos Koumoutsakos, Greece’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, in a statement to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency. “It is a day of joy and pride.”
Language as a Vessel of Culture
In its official decision, UNESCO’s Executive Board highlighted the fundamental role of language as a carrier of culture, a repository of values and concepts, a tool for expression and creativity, and a bridge of communication and understanding. Among the world’s thousands of languages, Greek stands out for four unique reasons:
1. Unbroken Continuity Across Millennia
Greek boasts 4,000 years of spoken tradition and 3,500 years of written history—dating back to Linear B, or at least 2,800 years if considering only the alphabetic script. This remarkable continuity makes Greek the longest continuously spoken and written language in Europe. As Nobel laureate Giorgos Seferis noted during his 1963 Nobel Prize speech, “The Greek language has never ceased to be spoken. It underwent the changes all living organisms undergo, but there was never a void.”
2. Cultural Depth and Intellectual Legacy
Greek has been cultivated by legendary figures across disciplines—from Homer, Plato, and Aristotle, to Aeschylus, Thucydides, Hippocrates, Archimedes, and the Fathers of the Church. Its rich vocabulary, grammar, and syntax have served as the foundation for philosophy, politics, science, literature, and theology for centuries.
3. Global Influence and Academic Presence
Greek has profoundly influenced other languages, especially European ones. It is taught worldwide—not only in its ancient form through classical studies but also in its Byzantine (Medieval) and Modern variations, reflecting its enduring academic relevance and cultural significance.
4. A Pillar of Scientific Terminology
Greek remains a cornerstone of international scientific vocabulary, particularly in medicine, but also in mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, astronomy, quantum mechanics, and the humanities. This influence is recognized globally and supported by extensive historical and empirical evidence.
The Unique Role of Greek in Human Civilization
UNESCO emphasized that Greek has been a linguistic cradle for core concepts in philosophy, science, and culture. It highlighted the innovation of 8th-century BCE Greeks who adapted the Phoenician consonantal alphabet into a vowel-inclusive writing system, thereby creating the first phonetic alphabet—a revolutionary leap in the history of written language.
During the Hellenistic period, Greek became the first international language—a lingua franca used in commerce and diplomacy across vast regions. It flourished under Alexander the Great, was embraced by Roman civilization, shaped the language of the Gospels, was rediscovered by the Renaissance, and championed by the Enlightenment.
Additionally, the Thesaurus Linguae Graecae (TLG)—a digital library containing over 12,000 Greek texts by 4,000 authors, spanning from Homer to 15th-century historians—features more than 105 million words, underscoring the vast literary heritage of the Greek language.
February 9: A Date of Symbolic Importance
The selection of February 9 for World Greek Language Day honors the death of Dionysios Solomos, author of “Hymn to Liberty”, which became Greece’s national anthem. The decision also builds upon previous UNESCO recognitions of Greek cultural heritage, including:
The Dodona Oracle Lead Tablets and
The Derveni Papyrus, Europe’s oldest surviving book—both included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register (2023 and 2015, respectively).
The Polyphonic Caravan, preserving the polyphonic singing traditions of Epirus (2020), and
The Byzantine Chant, listed in UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2019.
Photo: Unsplash
Notably, Haiti was the first country to speak in favor of the Greek proposal during UNESCO’s deliberations—an especially symbolic gesture, as Haiti was also the first nation to recognize Greek independence in the 19th century.
A Global Celebration of Language and Culture
The resolution was crafted through collaboration between Greece’s UNESCO delegation and renowned linguists Georgios Babiniotis and Christos Clairis.
Reflecting on the journey, Koumoutsakos added:
“With the support of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Ministry’s leadership, we began this effort six months ago, believing we could succeed despite the challenges. Through persistent, methodical work, we submitted the proposal on March 10, accompanied by the written endorsement of 20 UNESCO member states—a rare achievement by the organization’s standards.”
“Establishing a global celebration of the Greek language is deeply meaningful. It not only emphasizes its value as a cultural treasure of humanity, but also offers Greeks everywhere—and non-Greeks inspired by Hellenic education—an opportunity to rediscover and reconnect with this extraordinary language, a true beacon of intellect, philosophy, and human thought.”
