Greek language united scientists and Greek speakers of Southern Italy
The 10th Conference on Modern Greek Language and Literature was held in Salento, Italy, where scholars explored Greek cultural heritage and the living Griko language tradition.
In the historic region of Grecia Salentina, where the tradition of Hellenism in Southern Italy is kept alive and the language of the Griko is still heard, the 10th Conference “Modern Greek Language and Literature Beyond Greek Borders” took place.
According to Dimokratia, the conference was held under the auspices of the Greek Embassy in Rome and organized by the Italian Association for Modern Greek Studies (ANSN) during the period of June 24–26.
Connecting cultures through language
The conference provided further proof that the Greek language transcends geographical borders and functions as a bridge between different cultures. The occasion for the event was the inauguration of the new Laboratory of Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies “Paolo Stomeo” at the University of Salento.
Presentations by Italian scholars
The conference was attended by Italian scholars and philologists who have studied Modern Greek, presenting papers with references to Byzantine and Modern Greek literature. The presentations included references to Theodoros Kolokotronis, Dionysios Solomos, Angelos Sikelianos, and Constantine Cavafy.
The Greek Embassy in Rome highlighted Modern Greek as a “language of the diaspora,” a language that is constantly evolving and continues to unite people and cultures from East to West.
The significance of Salento Greece
The choice of Salento Greece as the venue for the conference was not accidental. The region is one of the most important sites of historic Hellenism, where Greek memory, tradition, and the linguistic heritage of the Griko continue to be kept alive.
Musical evening with traditional songs
The three-day proceedings concluded with a musical evening dedicated to the traditional songs of the Griko. The authentic ensemble Ghetonia gave moving moments to the participants, with the verse “Sti’ kardia mou panta sena vastò” (“I always keep you in my heart”) accompanying the closing of the conference.
The phrase that dominated throughout the days of proceedings was “Siamo tutti Greci” – “We are all Greeks,” encapsulating the meaning of unity through language and culture.
Source: Dimokratia
