On April 22, 2026, the celebration of the International Greek Language Day took place with great success at the “Marilena Laskaridis” Center for Modern Greek Culture of the Shanghai University of International Studies (SISU). The event was held in person and online, bringing together students from SISU as well as from the University of International Studies of Xi’an (XISU) and the University of International Studies of Jilin (JISU). The action was organized through the Center’s platform, thus inaugurating a new era of interdisciplinary cooperation.
The Deputy Director of the School of European Studies of SISU, Mr. Yang Ming, warmly welcomed the guests, expressing the desire to strengthen cultural exchanges between China and Greece through language teaching and to utilize the “Marilena Laskaridis” Center to promote academic and cultural cooperation.
Afterwards, the Consul General of Greece in Shanghai, Mr. Spyridon Kritikos, praised the Greek language as an invaluable treasure of world cultural heritage and expressed the hope for further strengthening cooperation in the field of language and culture between the two countries.
The event began with the lecture of the SISU professor, Ms. Wang Chun (Aphrodite), which had as its theme the “History of the Greek Language”, thus offering participants a unique opportunity to explore the roots of the Greek language and its connection with the history and culture of Greece.
Afterwards, the students presented their own creative works, such as the video “On the traces of language, together on the journey to Greece”, which was created by students from the three universities and reflected their deep love for the Greek language and culture. This was followed by the recitation of excerpts from the work of the national poet Dionysios Solomos by SISU students, who rendered the texts with exceptional expressiveness and emotion. Students from Xi’an and Jilin Universities also participated online, presenting Greek songs and dances, highlighting the unique charm of Greek culture. Professor Ourania Katavouta from SISU presented poems from her own new collection, offering a sensitive and poetic dimension to the event. The event ended with an online knowledge competition, in which students from the three universities participated, thus strengthening cooperation and friendship between them.
This year’s event at the “Marilena Laskaridis” Center for Modern Greek Culture, at the Shanghai University of International Studies, takes on particular importance, as it takes place after the official recognition of February 9 as the International Greek Language Day by UNESCO in 2025. This first joint initiative of the three Chinese universities sends a strong message about the dynamic presence and importance of Greek studies in China.
