The language banned by Hitler, now taught in Cyprus
Source: Cyprus Mail
One teacher’s mission to promote Esperanto across the island
In a quiet classroom of 15 in Limassol, a language once feared by dictators is being brought back to life.
Dr Roberto Pigro, a secondary school teacher from Italy, has spent the past decade teaching Esperanto in Cyprus. It’s not just a hobby. For him, it’s a mission.
“This language was created to unite humanity,” he says.
“It’s logical, neutral and easy to learn. That’s why some regimes found it dangerous.”
Esperanto, invented in 1887 by Polish-Jewish doctor LL Zamenhof, was designed to be fair. It wasn’t tied to any one country. It didn’t come with colonial weight or favour native speakers. But its dream of global understanding was seen as a threat.
Zamenhof, troubled by the constant disputes, believed that the key to resolving these conflicts was communication. At the heart of his vision was the idea of a simple, neutral language that could bridge the divides between people of different cultures and backgrounds.
“The beauty of Esperanto lies in its simplicity,” says Pigro.
“With only 16 rules, there are no exceptions, making it easy to learn.”
The language was originally called “International language”, and Zamenhof chose the pseudonym “Doctor Esperanto” for himself. His aim was to create a language that would allow Jews, Poles, Russians and Germans to communicate on equal footing.
“It was a kind of cure,” Pigro explains.
“Zamenhof believed that a common language could heal the wounds that then existed in Poland and, by extension, the world.”
Yet, Zamenhof’s creation was not the only artificial language to emerge at the time. Others, like Latino sine flexione and Volapük, were also attempts to simplify communication. But, as Pigro says, “Esperanto was the only one to succeed on a global scale.”
Pigro argues that the adoption of such a language could still foster balance in an increasingly divided world.
“When Europe decided to adopt a single currency, it did not choose the currency of one dominant nation, like the German mark or the French franc. Instead, everyone adopted the euro, a neutral and transnational currency that represents equality among all members,” he explains.
“Why not adopt a shared language in the same spirit?”
Through Esperanto, Zamenhof envisioned a world where peace and mutual understanding were possible.
“Paco kaj reciproka kompreno eblas kiam ni parolas neŭtralan lingvon,” says Dr. Pigro, quoting the Esperanto translation of “Peace and mutual understanding are possible when we speak a neutral language.”
In the 20th century, Hitler labelled it part of a Jewish conspiracy. Stalin had Esperanto speakers arrested. Mussolini banned it outright. Totalitarian leaders feared the power of a common tongue to build international solidarity. And yet, Esperanto survived.
Pigro was first introduced to it in his hometown of Udine, in northeastern Italy.
“I attended a beginner course and earned a Level 1 diploma with full marks from the Italian Esperanto Institute,” he recalls.
“That’s when I realised it wasn’t just a linguistic exercise, it was a way of thinking.”
He moved to Cyprus in 2004, where he has been teaching Italian in secondary education ever since.
“I graduated with top honours in Humanities, with a thesis focused on interlinguistics, a field that had already piqued my interest during my university years,” he explains.
In 2009, his interest in constructed languages deepened.
“Within a few weeks, I significantly improved my Esperanto skills. I began contributing to Monato, an international magazine written in Esperanto, and took part in conferences across Europe,” he says.
“It allowed me to interact with a wide, open-minded community.”
Back in Cyprus, he started sharing the language with others.
“Over the past decade, I’ve led several afternoon Esperanto courses, first at the Plurilingua Foreign Language Centre, then at St Mary’s School in Limassol, and later through online classes during the pandemic. The response has been very encouraging.”
But why learn Esperanto in the first place?
“Esperanto has been scientifically proven to offer strong metalinguistic benefits,” says Pigro.
“Its structure is clear and logical, which makes it an excellent preparatory tool for acquiring other foreign languages. I speak around 15 languages, and I can confidently say that Esperanto accelerates and deepens the acquisition of other languages.”
Unlike many constructed languages, Esperanto is far from abstract.
“It’s a living language used in poetry, fiction, music, theatre and journalism,” he says.
“Several current-affairs magazines pay contributors to write original reports, provided they have strong Esperanto writing skills and can offer insights from their home countries.”
The language’s practical and creative uses go hand in hand.
“Esperanto can open doors both professionally and academically,” he says.
“But perhaps its greatest benefit lies in how it shapes the mind. It encourages flexibility, creative thinking and cultural openness.”
In 2015, Pigro attended the Universal Esperanto Congress in Lille, France, one of the movement’s largest gatherings.
“Nearly 3,000 people from all over the world came together. It was a truly unforgettable experience, united by a shared vision to use Esperanto as a means of fostering intercultural dialogue and promoting global progress.”
For him, this is what makes Esperanto more than just a communication tool.
“It is a profound joy to see people gathered together in the name of a common dream, the dream of reconciling a humanity long divided, by enabling it to speak a simple, shared language rooted in natural linguistic principles. Esperanto gives dignity to all beliefs and peoples.”
In Cyprus, a country itself divided for decades, Esperanto’s message carries unique weight. It doesn’t replace native languages. Instead, it offers common ground.
“This island is already multilingual,” Pigro says.
“People switch between Greek, Turkish, and English. Why not add a language that belongs to everyone equally?”
Esperanto may never replace dominant world languages, but it was never meant to. Its goal isn’t dominance, but dialogue.
Interested in learning Esperanto?
Dr Pigro currently offers classes online and in person. He can be contacted at [email protected].
Free learning tools include:
– lernu.net – A multilingual platform for beginners and advanced learners.
– Duolingo – A popular app offering Esperanto lessons in a game-like format.
– Telegram: @esperantocyprus – Join the local community chat to connect with other learners in Cyprus
The original article: belongs to Cyprus Mail .
