On April 22, the World Greek Language Day themed event was held at the Marilena Laskaridis Greek Cultural Center of SISU. The event adopted a hybrid model combining an on-site main venue with online participation, bringing together teachers and students from the Greek language programs of three universities: Shanghai International Studies University, Xi'an International Studies University, and Jilin International Studies University. Distinguished guests in attendance included Spyridon Kritikos, Consul General of Greece in Shanghai; Yang Ming, Vice Dean of the School of European and Latin American Studies, and Dimitrios Foukis, Consul for Public Diplomacy of the Greek Consulate General in Shanghai. The event was hosted by Hu Jingjing, Director of the Marilena Laskaridis Greek Cultural Center of SISU.
In his opening address, Yang extended a warm welcome to the Consul General and his delegation, as well as to the faculty and students from the three universities. He expressed the hope that language would be used as a bond to promote mutual learning between Chinese and Greek civilizations. Relying on the platform of the School of European and Latin American Studies, the university aims to advance multilingual collaborative research and cultivate foreign language talents with cross-cultural perspectives and diverse capabilities. Kritikos emphasized that Greek is not only the language of the Greek nation but also a treasure of human civilization. He shared his appreciation for the enthusiasm of Chinese youth in learning Greek and expressed his expectation for deeper cultural and linguistic cooperation between the two countries.
The event featured a video address from the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, conveying best wishes for the promotion of Greek language and culture and international exchanges. Subsequently, Wang Qun, a teacher of the Greek program at SISU, delivered a keynote speech titled A Brief History of the Greek Language, guiding the audience to appreciate the profound heritage that lies behind the language.
During the faculty-student presentation segment, students from the three universities jointly presented a self-made commemorative video, Bridging Mountains and Seas through Language: Encountering Greece Together. Student representatives from SISU passionately recited classical poems by Greek national poet Dionysios Solomos; students from Xi'an International Studies University performed a song online to celebrate the occasion with melodious voices; students from Jilin International Studies University performed an energetic traditional Greek dance; and foreign teacher Kong Tianrui recited her latest original work, a reflection on time and memory. During interactive games, students from the three universities participated in a Greek language knowledge competition via online platforms, reinforcing their language skills in a relaxed and playful atmosphere while enhancing intercollegiate friendships.
In November 2025, UNESCO officially designated February 9 as World Greek Language Day in recognition of its outstanding contributions to human civilization, lending special significance to this year’s event. The collaborative online celebration involving the three universities stands as a vivid testament to the thriving and coordinated development of Greek language education in China. In the future, the Greek program at SISU will continue to deepen its teaching, expand exchanges, revitalize this ancient language, and contribute youthful vitality to mutual learning between Chinese and Greek civilizations.
