17 November 2025

The Australian Institute of Macedonian Studies (AIMS) and the Australian Institute for Hellenic Research (AIHR) have issued an open announcement inviting the Greek community of Melbourne to take part in the upcoming celebration of World Greek Language Day, officially recognised by UNESCO.

The announcement notes that in a few weeks the global community, together with UNESCO, will mark and promote the significance of the Greek language and its cultural contribution. On 9 February 2026 (the anniversary of the death of Greece’s national poet, Dionysios Solomos) Greece, Cyprus, Philhellenes worldwide, and Greek diaspora communities are invited to celebrate the newly established World Greek Language and Culture Day.

According to the Institutes, the recognition of Greek by the global community constitutes “the most important historic victory for Hellenic culture within the United Nations framework,” offering a unique opportunity for Greece and the diaspora to promote the language internationally, unite Hellenism beyond ideological lines, and strengthen global Philhellenism.

The announcement outlines the extensive efforts made by academics who formed the informal coordinating group that championed the initiative. Members included:

Prof. Giannis Korinthios (Italy), who first proposed the idea in 2014
Prof. Christos Klairis (Linguistics)
Prof. Georgios Babiniotis (University of Athens), linguist and national lexicographer
Prof. Anastasios Tamis (AIMS/AIHR), representing Australia
Prof. Philippos (University of California)

The group prepared a formal memorandum and advanced the proposal through Greece’s ambassador to UNESCO in Paris, George Koumoutsakos, who secured the support of 80 member states on UNESCO’s Executive Board.

In Australia, over the last 14 months, AIMS and AIHR held meetings with Anglican and Catholic leaders in Victoria and Sydney. In April, they sent 58 letters to the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, federal ministers, shadow ministers, academics, and journalists. These were co-signed by AIMS President Prof. A. M. Tamis and Vice-President Christina Kotsifaki-Sarris.

The institutes also produced memoranda highlighting the importance of the Greek language, which were used by Ambassador Koumoutsakos in lobbying efforts.

A turning point came when Prof. Tamis publicly criticised the Australian government for abstaining from the UNESCO vote, calling it a “humiliation of the Greek language and the Greek community of Australia.”

The issue gained traction in the Australian and Greek media. Following the backlash, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia would indeed participate in celebrating the global day on 9 February 2026.

Invitation for Melbourne’s Greek Community to lead

“We congratulate and thank everyone who contributed to the promotion of our language in Australia, as well as the Australian Hellenic Council for its support.

We invite all individuals and organisations to participate in this national celebration.

We would be truly proud if Melbourne’s Greek community—the community of all Greeks—took the lead in organising the 9 February event.

We also propose the creation of a permanent World Greek Language Day Committee, including representatives from community bodies and Greek language education institutions,” Prof. Tamis added:

Those interested in participating, individually or as an organisation, are invited to contact: