Greece honored Professor Ioannis Korinthios, a Diaspora Greek in Italy, for his efforts to protect and promote the Greek language worldwide.
Korinthios was awarded the Golden Cross of the Order of Honor by President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, one of Greece’s highest honors, for his many years of unceasing contribution to education, culture and the preservation and dissemination of the Greek language.
The medal was presented to Korinthios by the Ambassador of Greece in Italy Eleni Sourani in a moving ceremony at the Embassy of Greece in Rome.
“I am moved and particularly proud of being awarded the Golden Cross of the Order of Honor by the President of the Hellenic Republic,” Korinthios said.
“The selfless offer to the homeland is the highest duty for every Greek and expatriate. This is not just a great honor for me, but for all expatriates and philhellenes who support and spread the Greek language.
“Language is a prerequisite to be Greek. The identity of the diaspora is essentially based on language. Our homeland is our language. Studying, cultivating and mastering Greek is a medal of honor. The Greek language is a bridge that unites peoples, languages, and cultures,” Korinthios added.
Korinthios proposed the celebration of Greek Language Day
Korinthios is the man who proposed the celebration of Greek Language Day in 2014. The proposal was also supported by most municipalities in Greece, on the initiative of the president of the Central Union of Greek Municipalities (KEDE), Giorgos Patoulis.
When he spoke to Greek Reporter recently, Korinthios expressed his certainty that the Greek language is not under threat by the internet or the existence of multiple social media platforms.
Rather, he stated that “The Greek language is threatened by the indifference of those who must protect it: the schools, universities, homes, media, and our public services.
“The Greek language is ancient and yet alive… it is a valuable legacy and the cornerstone of the identity both of Hellenism and of European education.”
International Greek Language Day is celebrated annually every February 9, the day which also honors the memory of the Greek national poet Dionysios Solomos, who wrote Greece’s national anthem ”Hymn to Liberty.”
This celebration seeks to highlight the Greek language’s fundamental role and defining contribution in the development and establishment of European and world literacy and culture.
Greek remains a language that greatly enriches international scientific discourse. More than any other tongue, it is the language that developed, shaped and expressed most of the scientific theories, philosophical thoughts, and literature in most of the modern-day languages of the Western world.