Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni inaugurated an archaeological exhibition at UNESCO in Paris, celebrating the Greek language as a foundation of culture and democracy.
Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni opened an archaeological exhibition titled "They Gave Me Greek Language" at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, echoing themes from Nobel laureate Odysseas Elytis's poem "Axion Esti". This event coincides with the commemoration of February 9 as the World Day of the Greek Language, showcasing the historical journey of the Greek language through selected texts, rich visual material, and replicas of ancient works.
The exhibition underscores the significance of the Greek language as Europe's oldest continuously spoken language, which has evolved over 4,000 years. It highlights the language's role as a medium of communication and expression, emphasizing its rich vocabulary, clarity, solid structure, and flexible complexity. This linguistic robustness has enabled it to convey intricate social, political, and civic concepts, as well as complex philosophical ideas and existential inquiries, marking it as a vital component of Greek culture.
By presenting this exhibition, the Greek Ministry of Culture reinforces international appreciation for the Greek language's historical and cultural significance, promoting awareness of its contributions to Western civilization. The event not only celebrates the language itself but also fosters dialogue about cultural heritage and the importance of preserving languages as vital expressions of identity and history.
