Greek Language Day | 9 February

World Greek Language Day is celebrated on February 9th, a date that commemorates the poet Dionysios Solomos. It was established in 2017 by a joint decision of the Greek Ministers of Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Education. Its official proclamation by UNESCO was adopted in November 2025 during the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

The Greek Language Institute (INEL), whose primary mission is the preservation of the Greek language and Greek culture within the Greek diaspora, as well as their global promotion and dissemination, honors Greek Language Day with initiatives addressed to teachers, students, and all those who love the Greek language.

On the occasion of the Greek Language celebration, INEL presents:

“Talking in Greek”: Α conversation with a student of Greek as a Foreign Language

Garen Kürkçüoğlu (Garen Kürkçüoğlu in Turkish, Գարեն Կիւրքճիւօղլու in Armenian) is a member of the Armenian minority of Istanbul who, at the age of nine, asked his parents to let him learn Greek, captivated by the alphabet and the historical depth of the Greek language. Today, many years later, he celebrates Greek Language Day with us and shares his unique linguistic journey.

“What it means to teach Greek?” (teachers’ anthology)

The Greek Language Institute (INEL), wishing to honor the work of colleagues who teach Greek as a second/foreign language in Greece and around the world, invited them to respond to the question:
“What does it mean to you to teach Greek as a second/foreign language?”

The response was deeply moving. Their experiences, thoughts, and emotions were shared with warmth and genuine dedication to their work.

You can read the reflections and insights of Greek language teachers in the anthology “What It Means to Teach Greek”.